Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways, ELW 772
Devotion
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
to keep his statutes still!
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
to know and do his will!
Order my footsteps by your word
and make my heart sincere;
let sin have no dominion, Lord,
but keep my conscience clear.
Assist my soul, too apt to stray,
a stricter watch to keep;
and should I e'er forget your way,
restore your wand'ring sheep.
Make me to walk in your commands,
'tis a delightful road;
nor let my head or heart or hands
offend against my God.
Earlier this week I wrote that the blessing and the curse of human freedom is that God lets us make our own choices. Ultimately we are in control of our lives, and most of us like it that way. That's why one of the hardest prayers in scripture is found on the lips of Jesus: "Not my will, Father, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
Still, there's a little part of me that cherishes Isaac Watts' words in this hymn. It would be awfully nice to live knowing that God was guiding my steps, guarding my tongue, filling my heart with mercy, patience, gentleness and love.
Perhaps, then, we pray "thy will be done" to remind ourselves that the gift of free will is the ability to limit our freedom. We choose to turn our hearts and lives over to God because we believe that God can and will work in us, and use us to bless the world.
Prayer
Today, Lord, I pray: thy will be done—in my heart, in my life, as I work, through my hands. Amen.