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Question 103. What do we pray for in the third petition? In the third petition, which is thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey and submit to his will in all things. Things as the angels do in heaven.
Podcast: The Westminster Shorter Catechism with Sinclair Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode: Question & Answer 103
Date: July 23, 2026
This episode centers on Question 103 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "What do we pray for in the third petition?" The discussion unpacks the meaning of the third petition in the Lord's Prayer (“Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”), exploring what it means to seek God’s grace to know, obey, and submit to His will as earnestly as the angels do in heaven. The episode emphasizes how foundational this prayer is to spiritual growth and the Christian life, offering guidance for individuals, families, and church leaders on fostering Christlike obedience.
"In the third petition, which is ‘thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,’ we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven."
Christians are called to joyful, immediate, and wholehearted obedience, mirroring the angels’ actions in heaven.
Sinclair Ferguson (00:01):
"In the third petition, which is ‘thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,’ we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven."
On Spiritual Diet (implied in the catechism summary):
“Before we can savor large portions of sound doctrine, we need to be able to digest the basics of biblical truth.”
The tone remains pastoral, earnest, and practical, focusing on the necessity of grace for discipleship and spiritual maturity. The catechism’s language is upheld: reverent, concise, and rooted in Scripture, making the summary useful both for personal edification and instructional purposes.
Even in brief form, this episode reminds listeners that praying “thy will be done” is not a mere phrase—it is a lifelong pursuit only made possible by God’s daily grace. Christians of every age are called to align their desires and actions with God’s revealed will, growing in humble, angelic obedience through the nourishing truth of God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
