What do we pray for in the third petition?

1. How manifold is the [will] of God?

TWOFOLD: his will of purpose, or disposing will; and his will of precept, or revealed will.

2. What is his will of purpose, or disposing will?

It is what he himself proposes to be done, as the final determination of the event of things, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”

3. How is this will commonly called?

It is called his will of providence, because he infallibly brings it about, or accomplishes it, in the course of his adorable providence.

4. What is God’s will of precept, or his revealed will?

It is the rule of our duty, prescribing what he would have us to do, or not to do, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

5. Whether is it God’s will of purpose or precept that is meant in this petition?

Both are included, but chiefly his will of precept.

6. When we say, Thy will be done; what do we pray for, with reference to God’s will of purpose?

We pray [that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to—submit] thereto, and acquiesce therein, so soon as it is discovered or made known unto us, “And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

7. What doth our praying for submission to God’s will of purpose or providence, necessarily imply in it?

It implies that we are “by nature—prone to repine and murmur against his providence,” [Larger Cat. Quest. 192.] especially in afflicting dispensations.

8. When do we submit to afflicting dispensations?

When we justify God in them; Daniel 9:7 and acknowledge that he hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve. Ezra 9:13

9. What do we pray for, when we pray that God’s will of precept may be done?

We pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing [to know and obey] the same.

10. Why do we pray that God would [make us able and willing] to know and obey his revealed will?

Because, “by nature, we, and all men, are not only utterly unable and unwilling to know and do the will of God; but prone to rebel against his word,—and wholly inclined to do the will of the flesh, and of the devil.” [Ibid.]

11. Why do we pray that God would make us able and willing [by his grace]?

Because it is wholly of his free love and sovereign grace, that he worketh in us either to will or to do, “It is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

12. What do we pray for, when we pray that God would make us able and willing to [know] his revealed will?

We pray, that, by his Spirit, he would take away our natural blindness, and open our understanding, that we may understand the scriptures.

13. What do we pray for, when we pray that God would make us able and willing to [obey] his will?

We pray, that he would remove the weakness, indisposedness, and perverseness of our hearts; and, by his grace, incline us to set about, and keep up the practice of every commanded duty, in the strength of that furniture which is secured in the promise, “I will cause you to walk in my statutes.” Ezekiel 36:27 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

14. Why is knowing the will of God mentioned before the obeying of it?

Because there can be no true acceptable obedience, but what flows from that saving knowledge, which is inseparable from the faith of God’s operation, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

15. Where should we desire that the will of God may be done?

We should desire that it may [be done on earth], by all persons, and in all places thereon.

16. In what things should we pray that the will of God may be done on earth?

We should pray that it may be done in [all things].

17. Why in ALL THINGS?

Because we may be quite sure, that God’s will, both of precept and providence, is perfectly, or in every respect equal and just.

18. Whom should we resemble in our obedience?

The holy angels: we should study to do the will of God [as the angels do in heaven].

19. Can we know and obey the will of God as perfectly on earth, as the angels do in heaven?

No: but we should copy after them, as to the manner of their obedience.

20. What is it to copy after them as to the manner of their obedience?

It is to essay obedience “with the like humility, cheerfulness, faithfulness, diligence, zeal, sincerity, and constancy, as the angels do in heaven.” [Larger Cat. Quest. 192.]