On Earth As It Is in Heaven

   “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is heaven.” (Matt 6: 9 – 10)

   I don’t see a lot of examples of God’s will being done on earth.  Immorality, sinfulness, anger, bias, and hatred are all prevalent and, at times, seem overwhelming.  Abortion, euthanasia and an indifference to life continue to grow.  Very little love and mercy is exhibited.

   We don’t see others as children of God but as someone who is not like us.  They speak a different language or come from a different place.  They don’t look or act like us.  They are different and we don’t like different.

   The family has deteriorated and continues to fail to fulfill its’ purpose as the cornerstone of society.  Marriage rates continue to drop while cohabitation becomes the norm.  Single parent families continue to increase, not because of unavoidable events, but as a preference to or indifference to marriage.

   More and more people list “none” as their religious preference.  Those who claim Christianity fail to display it in their daily lives.  Many attend church but don’t know or understand or believe what is taught.  They pick and choose what to accept as if they know better than God what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable.  If their church doesn’t agree with their version of Christianity they will leave and search for one that does.

   Each time we recite the Lord’s prayer we are asking for an end to these evils in society.  But simply saying the prayer isn’t enough.  If we truly desire God’s will on earth as it is in heaven, we must live our lives in His will.  Perhaps we can’t change all of society, but our example may have an impact on just one person.  In that one person we have helped bring the will of God to earth.

Father we pray for Your will.

But we don’t always live it.

Strengthen our faith.

Help us bring Your will to earth.

Amen