petition in resignation: “I guess I really do not have any other choice, do I?” Still others pray the petition in resentment: “I do not like this at all, but your will be done.” However, if we understand the will of the Father in the way that Jesus does, we should pray the petition in joyful anticipation. The word for “will” in “your will be done,” conveys the fundamental note of goodness. The word is thelema. Thelema has the sense of both purpose and pleasure.2 Thelema echoes the words of God in Isaiah, “My purpose will be established, I will accomplish all my good pleasure” (46:10, nasb).
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