Whose Kingdom?

Read: Matthew 6:9-13

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10, NIV

IN WORD

We make assumptions when we read the Bible through our own preconceived beliefs, and several common assumptions distort this verse. Though Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come,” many people hear instead, “Your Kingdom come (one day).” And though Scripture indicates a fullness of the Kingdom at His second coming, it in no way limits His Kingdom to the distant future. Jesus’ prayer says only what it says. It’s a prayer for God’s Kingdom to come.

Why is this important? Because as we’ve seen, in deferring everything good to “one day,” we tend to weaken in faith now. God will do miracles, but not now. Every knee will bow to Jesus, but perhaps none today. We may see some momentary blessings—or at least glimpses of them—but we can’t expect them or enjoy them for long. But are these statements true? Nothing in Scripture would say so. It tells us we will have tribulation in the world and in this age, but it does not say we will have only tribulation. No, the biblical expectation is for a more imminent Kingdom. Not immediate, but imminent, and currently in the process of coming.

We wouldn’t think of applying the same assumption to the next phrase—“your will be done (one day)”—because God’s will is for anywhere at any time. But isn’t that the essence of the Kingdom? Don’t these phrases have parallel meanings? Doesn’t the Kingdom’s coming reflect His will being done in every way? Yes, the prayer of Jesus is sweeping and urgent. And it applies to the details of our lives today.

IN DEED

Try praying this prayer with specifics. “Your Kingdom come in my heart.” “Your Kingdom come in my family.” “Your Kingdom come at the office.” “May Your Kingdom invade my Monday.” “Let Your Kingdom rearrange my assumptions, my relationships, my world.” However you can think to apply it, pray it fervently. It’s a prayer that is always according to God’s will. And a prayer God is waiting to answer on behalf of those who persistently believe.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 16:19

Prayer is a summit meeting in the throne room of the universe.

RALPH A. HERRING