A Sunrise, a Prayer, and God’s Will

While my uncle was in the hospital, my family spent hours in prayer by his bedside. One morning, on the drive to the hospital, I pulled over to take a picture of the sunrise. I thought to myself, this might be his last sunrise.

That night, after coming home, I prayed alone before bed: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” By the time the sun rose again, my uncle was with Jesus.

That experience made me want to take a deeper look at the Lord’s Prayer. Often when I recite it, I speak in the formal, older English that I learned during religion classes. But when I slowed down and looked at the words in the Bible, I began to hear it differently. I started thinking through each line, not just repeating it.

The Lord’s Prayer

(as written in Matthew 6:9–13 NIV)

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

 Give us today our daily bread.

 And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from the evil one.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9)

God is Holy; His Name is Holy. My prayers need to start with remembering who He is—not just what I want Him to do.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

This was the prayer that stayed with me. I didn’t know what God’s will was in that moment, but I trusted that His ways were better than mine. Praying this line is about surrender—laying down my expectations and demands, opening my hands to His.

“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Grief has a way of making time feel heavy. This line helped me remember that God doesn’t ask me to take on tomorrow’s weight today. He promises daily bread—just enough strength, comfort, and peace for right now.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Loss can stir up regrets, unspoken words, or old hurts, the “what ifs.” I need God’s forgiveness daily, and I need to give it just as freely.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

In sorrow, the temptation is to lose hope, to grow bitter, or to doubt God’s goodness. This prayer asks Him to guard my heart and keep me close, even when life hurts.

A Revelation Tie-In

Our pastor is continuing to preach through Revelation, and although it’s not my favorite book of the Bible, God is showing me some connections! Revelation tells us that God’s kingdom will fully come, every tear will be wiped away, and His will will be done perfectly (Revelation 21:4, 22:3). Praying the Lord’s Prayer is practicing that hope now, living with trust that one day, God’s perfect will will reign on earth as it is in heaven.

The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just words to memorize. It’s a way to live and a way to grieve. On the night before my uncle went to be with Jesus, I prayed it quietly at home. And in those prayers, I remembered: God is Father, God is King, and God is enough. Even as the sun sets and rises, God's will be done.