Live in Harmony With the Model Prayer

"LET YOUR WILL TAKE PLACE . . . ON EARTH"

 About 6,000 years ago, God's will was being done perfectly on earth. That is why Jehovah could look upon the fine start he had given to mankind and say: "It was very good." (Genesis 1:31)  Then Satan rebelled, and ever since, comparatively few humans have done God's will on earth.  But today we are privileged  to be alive at a time when about eight million Witnesses not only are praying for God's will to take place on earth but also are striving to live in harmony  with that prayer.  They do so by their way of life and by having a zealous share in the disciple-making work.

For example, a sister who was baptized in 1948 and who served as a missionary in Africa says:  "In line with this part of the model prayer, I often pray that all sheeplike people will be contacted and helped to know Jehovah before its too late. Also, when I am about to witness to someone, I ask for wisdom  to reach the person's heart.  And regarding sheeplike ones who have already been found, I pray that Jehovah will bless our efforts to care for them." Little wonder that this 80-year-old sister has success in her ministry and, along with aid from others, has helped many to become Jehovah's Witnesses.  No doubt you can think of other good examples of individuals who pour themselves out in doing God's will despite the limitations of old age. -Read Philippians 2:17. 

Until the enemies of God's Kingdom are removed from the earth, we will continue to pray for God's will to be done.  Then we will see God's will taking place in an even more complete way as billions are resurrected on a paradise earth.  "Do not be amazed at this," Jesus said, "for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear  [my] voice and come out." (John 5:28, 29)  What a wonderful time to be alive to welcome back our dead loved ones!  God "will wipe out every tear from [our] eyes." (Revelation 21:4) Most resurrected ones will be "the unrighteous," who lived and died without learning the truth about Jehovah God and his son. It will be a privilege  to impart knowledge of God's will and purpose to resurrected ones, thereby helping them to qualify for "everlasting life." - 24:15; John 17:3. 

Universal peace and harmony depend on the sanctification of Jehovah's name by means of God's Kingdom. Thus, the complete answer to the first three requests of the model prayer will fulfill mankind's greatest needs.  Meanwhile, we have other vital needs that are mentioned in the remaining four requests in Jesus' model prayer.  They will be discussed in the following article.  

Next time: Live in Harmony With the Model Prayer Part II 

From the Watchtower magazine