Apostle: " Become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God." [1]
When, therefore we say, " Thy will be done," we first beseech our Heavenly Father to enable us to obey his divine commands, and to serve him all the days of our lives in holiness and justice; to do all things in accordance with his will and pleasure; to perform all those duties of which we are admonished in the pages of inspiration; guided and assisted by him, to conduct ourselves in every thing as becomes those " who are born, not of the will of flesh but of God;" following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made obedient unto death, even unto the death of the cross. Finally, we beseech him to enable us to be prepared to suffer all things rather than depart even in the least from his holy will. None desire or love more ardently the objects of this petition than they, to whom it is given to contemplate the surpassing dignity of him who obeys God. They, it is, who comprehend this truth, that to serve and obey God is to reign: " Whoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven; he is my brother and sister and mother;" [2] in other words: " To him am I most closely united by all the bonds of the tenderest love."
The saints, with scarcely a single exception, failed not to make the principal gift contemplated by this petition the object of their fervent prayers. All, indeed, have in substance made use of this admirable prayer; but not unfrequently in different words. David, whose inspired strains breathe such sweetness, pours out the same prayer in various aspirations: " O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications:" [3] "Lead me into the path of thy commandments." [4] " Direct my steps according to thy word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me." [5] In the same spirit he says: " Give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments:" [6] "Teach me thy judgments:" [7] " Give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies." [8] He often expresses the same sentiment in other words; and these passages the pastor will carefully notice, and explain to the faithful; that all may know and comprehend the plenitude and profusion of salutary gifts which are comprehended in the first part of this petition.
In the second place, when we say, " Thy will be done," we express our detestation of the works of the flesh, of which the Apostle says: " The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, &c." [9] " If you live according to the flesh you shall die." [10] In this prayer we also beg of God not to suffer us to yield to the suggestions of sensual appetite, of our lusts, or our infirmities, but to govern our will by the will of God. The sensualist, whose every thought is fixed on, whose every care is absorbed in, the tran-
