"Whenever you pray, say… Your kingdom come. (Luke 11:2 CSB)
As I was praying this throughout the week, this prayer began to become filled with heartfelt meaning. I'm also reading the book "A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World" by Paul E. Miller in which a statement was made that God used to bring home this phrase of the model prayer, "I lose my kingdom to get His". This became my heart cry as I daily prayed for God's kingdom to come. In Matthew, there is an expounding phrase of "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is what I asked God for, but to begin this work in my own heart and then I ask for others.
God's will is done on earth, as no one can frustrate the purposes of God. Scripture is clear on this (Romans 9:19, Isaiah 14:27). This prayer isn't that God's will be done, rather that it be done on earth AS it is done in heaven. In heaven, God's will is done in joyful obedience and reverent awe. When God's kingdom comes in the hearts of men and women, they are Spirit led. God's power and love flows to them to the full and through them to others. Presently on earth, the disobedient still fulfill the purposes of God, yet they are held accountable for their defiant actions. Just because the all wise God uses their willful rebellion to accomplish His purpose doesn't justify their actions or negate their being held accountable to the judge of all the earth. The punishment isn't due to frustrating the purposes of God, the condemnation is due to their refusing to glorify Him as God (Romans 1:21-25). My prayer is that, firstly, God would graciously work in my heart so that I joyfully submit to His will. I long to be a vessel made to honor God as opposed to dishonor (Romans 9:21).
"Your kingdom come." This is a prayer of sanctification. I am asking that He continue to conform me into the image of His dear Son, Jesus. This is a prayer for grace in the lives of others. I am asking for His kingdom to break through in the lives of those who do not yet know Him. Along with begging Him to tune my heart to sing His praise, I ask Him to quicken the hearts of others who are still dead in their sins and disobediently marching to the command of the evil one.
"Your kingdom come." This is a prayer that banners of truth be planted in areas of everyday life. That those who are not of The Kingdom will find themselves living among kingdom people. That the benefits and blessings of our Father will spill over into their lives to the end that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Closely tied to the earlier prayer of "Your name be honored as holy.", this is an outgrowth of giving honor to the name of The Father.
When we pray, may we pray, "Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come."
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