by all men and especially by us, as heartily, as continually, and as
completely as it is done by the holy angels. [Ps. 103:20, 21]

THE GOOD AND GRACIOUS WILL OF GOD. The will of God is always good and
gracious, because He always wills those things which He, in His wisdom
and love, [I John 4:16] sees are best. He does all things well, even
when we do not understand His ways. [Isa. 55:8, 9, Rom. 8:28]

IS DONE INDEED WITHOUT OUR PRAYER. There will always be some persons who
permit God to accomplish His good and gracious purposes in them, whether
we pray for it or not. [Isa. 55:11]

BUT WE PRAY IN THIS PETITION THAT IT MAY BE DONE BY US ALSO; [Rom.
12:12] that is, that we may believe His Gospel, obey His Commandments,
and trustfully permit Him to lead us in whatsoever paths He will.

WHAT WE PRAY GOD TO DO.

In order that God's good and gracious will may be done by us, all
opposing wills must be overcome. [Luke 22:31] We therefore pray God

1. TO FRUSTRATE AND BRING TO NOUGHT THE WILL OF THE DEVIL, [II Cor.
2:11] OF THE WORLD [I John 2:15, 16] (wicked persons), AND OF OUR OWN
FLESH [Gal. 5:17+] (our natural heart). For these are the great enemies
of our souls, who by their EVIL COUNSELS AND PURPOSES WOULD HINDER US
FROM HALLOWING THE NAME OF GOD AND PREVENT HIS KINGDOM FROM COMING TO
US. They tempt us to oppose God's will by despising His Gospel,
disobeying His Commandments, and murmuring against His dealings with us.
We pray God