Christian Themes in The Hobbit: 'Thy Will Be Done'

Presented by Upper School, Grades 7-12

The Hobbit is a tale of adventure, courage, and transformation. The timeless words of the Lord's Prayer guide Christians all over the world on their journey of faith. Though at first glance these two works may seem worlds apart—one a mythic journey through Middle-Earth, the other a prayer taught by Christ—both share a deep truth about surrendering our will to something higher, something divine.

In the story of The Hobbit, we encounter Bilbo Baggins, a humble and unassuming hobbit, who is suddenly thrust into an adventure far beyond his comprehension or desire. While we often reflect on how Bilbo sacrifices his desire for comfort for something greater than himself, there is another character who also undergoes significant transformation. 

Thorin Oakenshield, the dwarf-king in The Hobbit, is a character consumed by pride and a desire to reclaim his lost kingdom. In the midst of battle and loss, Thorin realizes that the real treasure is not gold or power, but humility, reconciliation, and the restoration of peace. Just as Thorin ultimately surrenders his own desires for the good of the many, so too are we invited to relinquish our personal agendas and align ourselves with a greater good.

It is a humbling thing to pray, “Thy will be done.” It is a prayer of surrender. It is an acknowledgment that we are not the sole architects of our lives, but participants in a greater design. When we pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are not merely offering words—we are positioning ourselves to be instruments of divine purpose, to be the hands and feet of God’s love and grace in a world that so desperately needs it.

“Thy will be done” is not passive. It is a call to action. It demands that we live lives of humility and service, trusting that God’s will is for our ultimate good and the good of all creation. Each day we have the opportunity to reflect the kingdom of heaven here on earth, not through grand gestures, but through acts of love, forgiveness, and justice.

Both The Hobbit and The Lord’s Prayer call us to surrender the certainty of our own limited vision and to embrace the broader vision of God’s kingdom—a kingdom of peace, love, and righteousness. May we, like Bilbo and Thorin, find the courage to step into the unknown, trusting God’s will to seek the beautiful, good, and true. 

By Mrs. Cortney Carman

Director of Curriculum

Following this historical thought, Upper School students sang the hymn "Be Thou My Vision."

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This historical thought was delivered by our Upper School students at devotional on 09/25/2025. Each week one class leads the student body in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, scripture recitation, a meditation, and an historical thought. Family and friends are welcome, Thursdays 8:30-9:05 am.

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