Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Heidelberg Catechism
Heidelberg Catechism Question 124. What is the third petition? “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” That is: grant that we and all men may renounce our own will and obey thy will, which alone is good, without grumbling, so that everyone may carry out his office and calling as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Shorter Catechism Question 103. What do we pray for in the third petition? In the third petition, which is, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” we pray that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
- Ps. 119:35-36 “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.”
- Acts 21:14 “Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’”
- Ps. 103:20-22 “Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
Study Catechism
Study Catechism Question 129. What is meant by the third petition, “Your will be done, on earth as in heaven”? Of course, God’s will is always done, and will surely come to pass, whether we desire it or not. But the phrase “on earth as in heaven” means that we ask for the grace to do God’s will on earth in the way that it is done in heaven — gladly and from the heart. We thus ask that all opposition to God's will might be removed from the earth, and especially from our own hearts. We ask for the freedom to conform our desires and deeds more fully to God’s, so that we might be completely delivered from our sin. We yield ourselves, in life and in death, to God’s will.
- Ps. 119:34-36 “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.”
- Ps. 103:20, 22 “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.”
- Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”
- Rom. 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
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