Your Will Be Done: Praying Scripture

Your Will Be Done: Praying Scripture

Vera Christian
How-To's, Resources

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:10 (ESV)

I once overheard a child one Sunday repeat a phrase that clearly sounded like her mother, a good friend of mine. It made me smile—and it made me think. Children absorb the language of those they admire.

As believers, our deepest prayers should echo the heart of our Father, not just in words, but in desire. We want to pray as Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” But how do we actually bring the honest, messy needs of our heart in a way that aligns with Scripture and glorifies God?

For the believer who desires to walk faithfully with the Lord, this phrase is both a comfort and a challenge. It grounds us in God’s sovereign purposes and calls us to surrender our own agendas. But it also raises a question: How do I know what God’s will is?

Knowing God’s Will

God’s Revealed Will

The clearest way we know God’s will is through His Word. Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes between “the secret things” that belong to the Lord and “the things that are revealed” which belong to us and our children, that we may obey.

God's revealed will is His moral will—what He commands, desires, and delights in. It is found in the pages of Scripture, where He instructs His people how to live in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph. 4:1).

When we pray “Your will be done,” we are not asking God to show us the hidden details of our future. We are asking that His known will—His righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth—would be done in our lives and in the world around us.

God’s Hidden Will

On the other hand, God’s hidden will, or His sovereign decree, is not something we can fully grasp. It includes the intricate plans He ordains for our lives and for history. These are not always made known to us ahead of time, and sometimes not even in hindsight.

Yet, we are called to trust this aspect of His will completely. As Melissa Kruger writes, “God’s will is not a code we must crack; it’s a path we are called to walk.”

We often ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” But rather than searching for a mystical blueprint, Scripture invites us to pursue wisdom (James 1:5), walk in obedience (Micah 6:8), and trust in His providence (Romans 8:28). Scotty Smith helpfully models this kind of prayer: asking not for clairvoyance, but for Christlike character, gospel courage, and kingdom priorities.

Praying Scripture

One of the most practical ways to pray God’s will is to pray the prayers found in Scripture itself. The Word teaches us how to pray and what to pray. The prayers of the saints in Scripture are not only inspired, but they also give voice to the varied conditions of the human soul—praise, repentance, lament, intercession, surrender.

Consider the variety:

  • The Lord’s Prayer itself teaches us to reorient our priorities: God’s name, God’s kingdom, God’s will.

  • Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5–14) demonstrates a humble dependence on God for direction.

  • Abraham’s intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33) shows boldness in petition while trusting God's justice.

  • Daniel’s prayer of repentance (Daniel 9:1–19) combines confession with appeals to God's covenant mercy.

  • Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17) shows the Son praying for His followers' unity, sanctification, and mission.

  • Miriam and Moses’ song of victory (Exodus 15:1–21), Hannah’s praise (1 Samuel 2:1–10), David’s repentance (Psalm 51), and Asaph’s lament (Psalm 77) model worship and honesty before God.

  • The tax collector’s humble cry in Luke 18:9–14 reminds us that acceptable prayer comes from a contrite heart, not self-righteous boasting.

  • Paul’s prayers in Ephesians (1:15–23; 3:14–21) are rich with theology and teach us how to pray for spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Each of these examples reminds us that prayer shaped by Scripture aligns us with God’s will, not merely our own desires. Kevin Halloran’s free Pray the Bible course digs into this topic in much greater depth.

Using Scripture’s Truths and Promises

In addition to praying the prayers of the saints, we can pray using the truths of Scripture to guide us. When we focus on the attributes of God—His holiness, mercy, power, wisdom—we learn to pray in reverence and confidence. When we use His promises as an anchor for our prayers, we can pray confidently in His will.

Here are a couple resources that may help:

  • 70 Great Bible Passages for Group Prayer: These would be great passages to study in context, then pray back to the Lord in response. Though the title talks about group prayer, they can also be used for personal prayer as well.

  • Nancy Guthrie’s Praying Through the Bible for Your Kids help believers apply this practice devotionally, praying God's promises and commands over the lives of loved ones, grounded in Scripture and not sentimentality. (Though the title focuses on our children, they can be adapted to pray for anyone—including yourself! I learned a lot about how to pray Scripture using this guide.)

But How Do I Discern His Will When It’s Not in Scripture?

Ahh…that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? We want to seek God’s will in decisions—relationships, work, ministry. But Scripture doesn’t teach us to expect detailed answers about every circumstance. How do we pray for direction in our lives that is in line with His will (Rom. 12:2)?

I really appreciate Aimee Joseph’s starting point: God’s will is primarily about who we are becoming, not merely what we are doing. His Word emphasizes our sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3), thanksgiving (1 Thess. 5:18), and submission to authority (1 Peter 2:15).

When facing choices, we should ask:

  • Is this wise?

  • Does it align with God’s revealed will in Scripture?

  • Will it glorify God?

  • Will it help me love others better?

As we walk by the Spirit, seek counsel, and obey what we already know to be true, God faithfully leads. The path may not be laid out in neon lights, but it is lit by the lamp of His Word (Psalm 119:105). In any situation, we can begin with God’s clear commands.

Because this is often such a confusing topic that I cannot do full justice at this point in time, I wanted to share several resources that may get you started in thinking about your own particular issue.

Let’s Pray

To pray “Your will be done” is to submit, trust, and act. It’s not a passive phrase—it is a plea for God’s rule to be extended in our lives, homes, churches, and the world.

So what is something that you want to ask your Father? What have you read today in His Word that heartens you to praise Him? challenges your obedience? Encourages your flagging faith? Use it to bring your requests to Him, that you may glorify His name.

May God’s Word form the foundation of our prayers—so that we trust His providence and pray boldly in line with His will. As we do, may our prayers then help us live faithfully, that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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