Douglas J. Elwood Ph.d.

Understanding the Will of God and Other Reflectons:: a Devotional Guide Douglas J. Elwood Ph.d.

Everytime we pray the Lord?s Prayer (or the ?Our Father?) we are asking thatGod?s will be done. Do we realize what we are saying when we ask thatGod?s will be done? Is there any connection between the prayer thatGod?s will be ?done? and Jesus? statement that we are responsible to?do? God?s will? Most people, upon hearing the phrase ?will of God,?react in one of three ways: with fear, confusion or resignation. Areour lives predetermined for us ahead of time? Is God?s plan somethinglike a blueprint, a road-map, or more like a work of art or an act oflove? DoesGod decide for us or leave us to make our own decisions? Is there areason for everything? How can God be a loving God if he is responsiblefor the evil in the world? Does God want us to be rich? Do miraclesstill happen? Can prayer alter God?s will? Is it God's will when astudent returns to the campus with a gun to kill his fellow-students?These are only a few of the questions raised and discussed in depth inthis devotional guide to understanding the will of God. Otherphilosophical reflections in capsule form cover a wide diversity oftopics in Part Two of the book, ranging from war and peace to servantleadership to what it really means to be ?great.? Written from aChristian point of view, the book may be used as a tool for privatereflection or to help with group discussions such as a community bookclub.