“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #8

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: How does man express God’s power, or will?

Answer: Man is the reflection of God. He is the image and likeness of God, as we read in the first story of Creation in Genesis. When you look in a mirror and see yourself, that image is called a reflection. God’s nature and infinite qualities are likewise reflected in spiritual man. Therefore, the power of Principle is reflected in man. Man is able to control his experience on earth. As Genesis also tells us, man was given “dominion,” or authority and mastery, on earth.

“The Christianly scientific man reflects the divine law, thus becoming a law unto himself.”
(S&H 458:23-24)

“Man, made in His likeness, possesses and reflects God’s dominion over all the earth.”
(S&H 516:19-21)

“The Scriptures declare all that He made to be good, like Himself, — good in Principle and in idea. Therefore the spiritual universe is good, and reflects God as He is.” (S&H 286:17)

These citations show that we do not have to fear that any other so-called power can control us. For instance, some people believe in astrology, which suggests that the planets control our lives and destiny. But astrology cannot influence us, if we understand what Mary Baker Eddy writes:

“The planets have no more power over man than over his Maker, since God governs the universe;
but man, reflecting God’s power, has dominion over all the earth and its host.” (S&H 102:12)

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #9

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #7

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: What is Principle?

Answer: Principle indicates God’s Allness. Principle is the foundational law which governs
man and the universe. Principle is the name of God we should learn more about in order to
understand how God’s will operates. Principle is all-acting, and operates in line with its law
of harmony to keep all spiritual ideas in perfect co-ordination with one another.

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it.” (S&H 304:16-17)

Just as the science of mathematics and music have a principle that governs their operations, the universe has an infinite divine Principle, God, which governs all, and is over all. As we have read already in another lesson:

“Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Being, and His reflection is man and the universe.” (S&H 465:17)

God’s will is Principle in action, and as we conform our thinking and action with God’s will, we should experience more harmony in our daily lives.

“Let us open our affections to the Principle that moves all in harmony, — from the falling of a
sparrow to the rolling of a world.” (Mis. 174:10-12)

If something bad seems to come our way, we have God’s “rule of perpetual harmony” that
enables us to destroy the false law that mortal mind is fearing.

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #8

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #6

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: Why is it important that we obey God’s will?

Answer: If you have studied the lessons on the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus, you already know that God’s laws protect us and lift us out of material thinking. We also want to
add communion with God in prayer to our daily life. Some people think it is enough just to pray; others feel it is fine just to follow God’s rules. But we must do both on a regular basis. Here’s why:

“Prayer cannot change the unalterable Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual desire to know and do the will of God, will
bring us into all Truth. Such a desire has little need of audible expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life.” (S&H 11:27)

“Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer, watchfulness, and devout obedience enable us to follow Jesus’ example.” (S&H 4:27-30)

“God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one’s way when one is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance.” (Mis. 117)

Our prayers and our obedience to God will be a shield of armor to protect us, as well as being a perfect guide in our journey through life.

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #7

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #5

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: How does God “enable us to know” that He is omnipotent, supreme?

Answer: The dictionary tells us that enable means “to make able; provide with means,
opportunity, power or authority.” History, especially Bible history, shows that mankind
has been given many opportunities to know God. Thanks to individuals like Moses, the
Prophets, Jesus, Paul, Mary Baker Eddy, and other people who have shared their spiritual
revelations, the world has been lifted from darkness to light.

Through the discovery of Christian Science, we have better insight into how God enables us.
We have learned that human problems can be turned into opportunities to prove that God is
“omnipotent, supreme,” by healing them.

“The spiritual sense of the Scriptures understood enables one to utilize the power of divine Love in casting out God’s opposites, called evils, and in healing the sick.” (’00 5:27-29)

“Hold perpetually this thought, — that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being.” (S&H 496:15)

God is working with us and through us. When you pray this line of the Lord’s Prayer, do not be surprised if you are given opportunities each day to prove that God is omnipotent, supreme!

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #6

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #4

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: How is God’s will done in earth, as it is in heaven?

Answer: The only place that seems to be outside of God’s control is the so-called realm of
mortal belief. But what happens to belief when understanding appears? It disappears. And what is it that man needs to see in order to understand? It is God’s law. Mary Baker Eddy writes:

“Not personal intercommunion but divine law is the communicator of truth, health, and harmony to earth and humanity.” (S&H 72:30-32)

We come to understand mathematics and music through the laws that govern them. We
practice and prove those laws, which help us to master these sciences. In a similar manner,
we need to strive to understand and practice God’s laws, so that we can prove that He is the all-powerful Principle that governs man and the universe in harmony. We can prove His will on earth by solving the problems that appear to us for healing. Think of it as homework with a heavenly purpose!

“Mortals have only to submit to the law of God, come into sympathy with it, and to let His will be done.” (Mis. 208:11)

Mrs. Eddy defines Christian Science as “the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and
demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony.” (Rud. 2:1-4)

Because of this discovery of Christian Science, we now have the knowledge that God’s law is available to use.

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #5

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #3

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: What do “omnipotent” and “supreme” mean?

Answer: Omnipotent means having unlimited power or authority. Supreme means being the highest in power and authority. If “God is omnipotent, supreme,” then He must be all-powerful,
and certainly more powerful than anything else that would pretend or suggest to have power and control over the universe. In reality, any other so-called power would be nothing more than
an illusion of mortal mind. As Mary Baker Eddy writes:

“. . . let us continue to denounce evil as the illusive claim that God is not supreme.” (Pan. 6:5)

As you read Bible stories in the future, notice how God’s power is always proven to be supreme, or superior. As Mrs. Eddy states:

“The central fact of the Bible is the superiority of spiritual over physical power.” (S&H 131:10)

Another statement in our textbook supports this line of the Lord’s Prayer, by explaining that God has control even where physical or material beliefs seem to rule:

“Immortal Mind, governing all, must be acknowledged as supreme in the physical realm, so-called, as well as in the spiritual.” (S&H 427:23)

What this means for us is that we are never alone with our problems. God is right here to help us prove His will is supreme. We must stick closely to this fact:

“There is no power apart from God. Omnipotence has all-power, and to acknowledge any other power is to dishonor God.” (S&H 228:25-27)

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #4

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #2

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: What is the spiritual meaning of “earth” in this Prayer?

Answer: We already know that mankind lives on a planet we call “earth.” Physical scientists tell us one story about earth: it is round, it spins, it orbits the sun in space, and is made of material elements. But when praying to God for His will to be done on earth, we need to think about how God, who is pure Spirit, can govern in a so-called material realm.

The answer starts with the idea that the earth is not what it appears to be to the physical senses! Let’s explore this idea:

Mary Baker Eddy gives us a definition of earth as it is used symbolically in the Bible:

“A sphere; a type of eternity and immortality, which are likewise without beginning or end. . . .
To material sense, earth is matter; to spiritual sense, it is a compound idea.” (S&H 585:5-8)

The book of Revelation tells us of a wonderful vision that John had of a new heaven and earth. Mrs. Eddy writes of John’s vision:

“He saw the real earth and heaven. They were spiritual, not material; and they were without pain, sin,
or death.” (Mis. 30:9-11)

“In St. John’s vision, heaven and earth stood for spiritual ideas.” (S&H 536:4-6)

We get a glimpse in the above that the earth is no less spiritual than heaven, if we are seeing with inspired spiritual sense. The earth “is a compound idea,” which we might say is a union of ideas representing the diversity and infinity of God. We do not have to leave earth for heaven in order to be at one with God!

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #3

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – Q&A #1

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.

Question: What does “thy will be done” mean?

Answer: If God’s kingdom is here, then His rules and laws would govern those who live here in His kingdom. We pray daily to see God’s will in action. The word will means a strong and fixed
purpose. God’s will is His purpose, or plan, for His creation.

“The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isa. 14:24)

Jesus taught that there is a connection between doing God’s will and experiencing the kingdom of heaven that we have learned about previously:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)

Starting off our day with the prayerful affirmation that God’s “will be done,” will help us yield our human will — our own personal wishes — to God’s plan for us. We need to learn to tell the
difference. Human will is something we need to guard against, and we will learn more about it in another lesson.

Our goal is to bring our thinking and actions in line with God’s will, and to see His will being done throughout the universe. As Mary Baker Eddy writes:

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice,
and God’s will must be universally done.” (S&H 202:3)

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

 

Next:  Thy will be done – Q&A #2

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“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” – For Young Children

“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Jesus taught that we must love and obey God. When we follow God’s rules and laws, we are
doing His “will.” Your parents ask that you follow their rules at home and elsewhere. These rules
are needed to keep you safe, or to make your home a clean and happy place to live. We also obey the will of our heavenly Father-Mother God, in order to keep us safe wherever we go,
and to make the world a happier place for all. In a way, this brings God’s heaven to those of us on earth! We find some of God’s rules in The Ten Commandments. Do you know any of them? Obeying God’s commandments will help prove His will is done in earth.

“Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, — God is omnipotent, supreme.”

When we pray to God, we can ask Him for His help in learning more about Him. We want to
see God’s will being done here on earth by everyone. We need to see that God is strong and
powerful right where we are now, and not just in in a place called heaven. We do not need to wait for a future time to see God govern His children. Remember, we have already learned that God is ever-present! When we pray to God, we can learn more about the goodness of God’s kingdom of heaven and how it can be seen and felt here on earth. We listen for God’s voice to tell us how to show this goodness and power of God to others. This brings health and happiness to all our days. We become strong, and are enabled to do God’s will.

* * *

(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)

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“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness . . . ” Q&A #10

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.

Question: What if we are trying to do good most of the time, but we do not seem to make progress, or we fail?

Answer: Take a closer look at the Beatitude. It does not say that those who are already righteous will be filled, but that those who hunger for righteousness, shall be filled. There’s
a difference.

It is an on-going, life-long process. As we strive to be good and do right, we will be given more than we need: we will “be filled.” By using what we are given — by demonstrating the truth that
is revealed to us — our understanding and ability are expanded. We are ready to take on more. And, so, we continue to hunger and thirst for more. In fact, it may seem as if there will never be a time when we will be satisfied with our spiritual growth. There is always something more we can do, or learn, or share.

What is important is how we feel in our heart: our motives or reasons for doing what we do. It is not a question of trying to be perfect mortals.

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.” (S&H 8)

When should we be satisfied? David tells us in one of his Psalms:

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17)

Further Study: Have you studied David’s story? He often made mistakes, but he truly hungered for righteousness. God knew David had a good heart.

* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Two: The Beatitudes”
Copyright 2002)

 

Next:  “Blessed are the merciful . . . ” – For Young Children

See also: 

Teaching Children the Beatitudes
Stair steps to Heaven – Beatitudes Mini-poster for children
What Mary Baker Eddy Writes about the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount
What Mary Baker Eddy Writes about Teaching Children

UPDATE:  The complete book of First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Two: The Beatitudes in its original format is now available for purchase as a downloadable file at The Bookmark online.  Visit my Author’s Page at:  https://thebookmark.com/vicki-jones-cole-2.

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Volume One: The Ten Commandments
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Volume Three:  The Lord’s Prayer

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