The Lord's Prayer, given to us by Jesus, often loses its impact due to its familiarity. When the God-Man, Jesus Christ, instructed us on how to approach and speak to the holy God of the universe, we should pay close attention. This prayer is not a mere suggestion, nor is it a magical incantation. It's certainly not one of the "vain repetitions" that Christ warns against in Matthew 6:7. Instead, it's a blueprint for how we, as fallen and sinful creatures, can engage in meaningful communion with our Creator.
Prayer, at its core, is communion with God. But it's a special kind of communion that has the power to change us. When we pray, we're like children of the King, approaching the throne room with a mixture of humility and confidence. We come before our Father, face-to-face, witnessing His glory, sovereignty, and power. As we leave the throne room, we step back into the world, transformed by the encounter, with a renewed understanding of who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and how we're called to live.
"Your Kingdom Come"
Let's narrow our focus to a specific part of the Lord's Prayer: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This simple yet profound statement carries immense implications for our daily lives and our understanding of God's plan for the world.
To grasp the full meaning of this prayer, we must first understand what we mean by "God's kingdom." The kingdom of God is wherever His will is carried out, where creation acknowledges and submits to His rule. This concept of God's kingdom and God's will are intrinsically linked. Where God's kingdom is established, His will is done. Where His will is carried out, there His kingdom is manifest.
The Present Reality of the Kingdom
When Christ instructs us to pray "Your kingdom come," He's not speaking of a far-off, future event. He's telling us to pray for God's kingdom to be realized here and now, in our own lives and in the world around us. This isn't a prayer for some distant utopia or for the final judgment day. It's a plea for the reality of heaven to break through into our present world.
John the Baptist proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2), and Jesus Himself told the Pharisees, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). These statements emphasize the present reality of God's kingdom. It's not just coming; it's here, just not yet in its fullness.
A Bold Request
Praying for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven is a bold request. We're asking for nothing less than a total transformation of our world to align with God's perfect will. This prayer is not the plea of a defeated church or a hopeless people. Instead, it's a confident assertion of God's sovereignty and a commitment to see His reign established in every aspect of life.
When we pray these words, we're essentially saying:
"God, make Your power and kingship evident on this earth. Raise Your banner over every nation, and make it clear to every ruler that You will have Your way in the affairs of men. Disperse the darkness with the light of Your gospel. Shatter the chains of sin's bondage and lead the captives to freedom. Break through the ignorance of wickedness with the wisdom that comes from godly fear. Let no one stand who does not bow their knee to You."
Living Out the Prayer
This prayer is not meant to be a mere recitation. It should have a profound effect on how we live our daily lives. If we're praying for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done, we should be actively working towards that end in our own spheres of influence.
So, how do we apply this prayer to our daily lives? A good place to begin is to meditate on the characteristics of God’s kingdom.
- Illumination of ignorance: God's kingdom is characterized by the revelation of who God is. It brings light into darkness, dispelling ignorance and promoting wisdom. As citizens of this kingdom, we have access to true enlightenment because we live under the reign of the source of all wisdom. Our lives should reflect this reality. We can bring God's kingdom into the world by being teachers of His Word and interpreters of His wisdom. The way we live and speak should make it evident that we have access to ultimate, universal truth.
- Exaltation of the humble: In God's kingdom, there is no oppression. The humble are lifted up, and justice prevails. As Christians, our interactions with the world should reflect this kingdom principle. We should have a reputation for uplifting the downtrodden and being unimpressed by worldly status. The oppressed should see the church as a source of hope, knowing that citizens of God's kingdom are committed to setting captives free and bringing justice to the marginalized.
- Resurrection of the dead and dying: While the ultimate resurrection will occur when Christ returns, we can participate in bringing life and renewal to our world even now. The dominion mandate given in Genesis 1:28 still applies to us. As we exercise this God-given authority, we should see life flourish around us. Our work should bless others, as if small pieces of Eden were reawakening under our care. Where God's kingdom is manifest, blessing and life should follow.
- Pursuit of holiness: Living as citizens of God's kingdom means striving for holiness in our personal lives. We're called to be set apart, different from the world around us. This doesn't mean withdrawal from society, but rather engaging with it in a way that reflects God's character and values.
- Proclamation of the Gospel: As we pray for God's kingdom to come, we must also be active in proclaiming the good news of this kingdom. The gospel is the means by which people enter God's kingdom, so sharing it should be a priority for all believers.
The phrase "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," is not just a beautiful sentiment. It's a radical declaration of God's sovereignty and a commitment to see His reign established in every aspect of our lives and world. As we pray these words, let us also live them out, becoming active participants in bringing the reality of God's kingdom to bear on our fallen world. In doing so, we become living testimonies to the transformative power of God's reign, pointing others to the ultimate King and His coming kingdom.
