Learning to Pray God's Will

We just got back from visiting my parents for Christmas. It was lovely. We really did have a great time. We got to spend time with friends and family, eat super yummy food, look at Christmas lights, shop, visit some cool places, etc.

But, one thing I struggled with....we were most of us sick at one point on the trip. Seriously, that flu  going around...we got it!

And tonight, I was like "Lord, seriously, I prayed that we wouldn't get sick, the kids prayed, we spent time praying a lot about it. What gives?" At this point I was just realizing that I was upset about it. I asked and He seemingly didn't answer.

But then, God reminded me of something that had just happened earlier that day. I was praying for a situation and instead of praying what I wanted...which was how I started the prayer, it changed to "God, just let Your will be done." And when I prayed that, I had so much more peace. I just felt like, phew. He has it under control and I wanted God to do what He wants.

You know that feeling when your parents or some authority makes a decision for you that maybe at the time you're like, I don't like that! But then you later realize that it was totally what you needed? Well that's how I felt after I prayed for God's will to be done. Just a huge weight off.

So then it occurred to me, that in praying for our trip to Colorado, I had left that part out. I was praying what I wanted, I wanted good weather and good health and for everyone to be happy. I don't know that I said one time- God, let Your will be done when we go.

Ok, I'm not saying that it was His will for us to be sick the whole time.....but He did allow it. And if I go back to what I believe about God being good, then I have to trust that us being sick was somehow for our good.

So, I think that if I had prayed all along that God's will would be done....I think I might have had more peace with the situation. And maybe, just maybe, God would have been able to give a glimpse into what He wanted to do on our trip. More that just have a great time and be with family and friends, I think He wanted to work some things out in me and in the kids.

As I was praying today, for that other situation, God reminded me of how Jesus told His disciples to pray- "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." And I just don't want to pray what I want anymore. I really have no idea all the things that I actually want or need. I can't see the future and I really have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow. But I know He does.

So...for this month, we are going to start learning the Lord's prayer. I figure it will probably take us a few months, but it's just a goal for this year. It has so many good things in it. Not only praying His will, but also asking Him to provide what we need, forgiving us when we go in the wrong direction, helping us to forgive others and leading us the right way.

I'm exited to be praying this for my own life and to pass it on to the kids!

"Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come. 

Thy will be done in earth, 

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen."

Matthew 6:9-13