December 7, 2021 — How About Praying to be a Disciple?

“Seems to me,” I said to Stan one morning, “that you talk a lot about discipleship. Why is that?”

“I talk a lot about discipleship,” Stan replied, “because I think it’s important. Seems to me it’s at the core of what it means to be a Christian.”

Continuing, he added, “Jesus thought it was important, too. In fact, that’s what He said the Great Commission is all about, making disciples. Jesus didn’t say to ‘Go and make converts,’ He said to make ‘disciples’.”

“If it’s so important,” I replied, “do you think it can be prayed about?”

“You mean like praying to be a disciple?” Stan asked.

“Yeah,” I replied, “that’s it. Do you think I can pray for that?”

“Absolutely,” Stan said. “In fact, I think Jesus taught that when He was teaching the disciples how to pray.”

“I don’t recall that being in the Lord’s Prayer, the Disciples’ Prayer, the Our Father, or whatever it’s called,” I responded.

“It’s not in those exact words,” Stan said, “but I sure do think it’s covered by the part of the prayer where Jesus says to pray that the Father’s will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”

“How so?” I asked.

“I don’t think the Father’s will is going to be done on earth, at least not in and through me, unless I am a disciple following the steps of being a disciple.”

“You mean denying yourself, taking up what He has for you to take up, and following Him?” I asked.

“Exactly,” Stan replied. “Just think about praying that the Father’s will being done here as it is in heaven without first praying that it be done in and through you as a disciple.”

“Probably wouldn’t happen,” I responded. “The chances of God’s will being done in and through me if I’m not surrendered to Him as a disciple might be pretty slim.”

“I would put in the category of being even less likely than that,” Stan replied. “Probably at or real close to zero!”

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Bible verses to consider:

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that your will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I confess that too often I am not willing to have your will done in and through me because I choose not to surrender and get myself out of your way so you can do what you want. Please forgive that foolishness. And please help me in following every step of your lead so I am a disciple through whom your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of the One I am to follow. Amen.

Think on this: Do you think you have a part to play in God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven? If no, why? If yes, what does that look like to you? Do you agree with Stan’s view that discipleship plays a role in God’s will being done on earth? Why or why not? If you sense you could use some changes in your life regarding your role as a disciple through whom God’s will can and will be done, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?