Many of us know The Lord’s Prayer so well that we can recite it in our sleep, and no wonder, as it is one of the first things that new believers learn. This prayer is loaded with valuable information for Christians, not only to guide us in the work of prayer, but also about God, His will, His kingdom, His priorities for our lives, and many such things.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13
When we visit the Throne Room in prayer, we enter (and leave) God’s courts with thanksgiving, praise, and worship to honour Him. He is holy because He is in a class of His own — there is no one like Him — separate from His creation, which is what holiness means. We are holy when we are separated from the world and its filth, and live lives that glorify Him.
To call it the Lord’s prayer is not actually correct, as Jesus told us how to pray; He wanted it to be our prayer. This model teaches us to pray for our daily bread and the forgiveness of our sins, but we find these requests lower down the list of priorities. It reminds us of the words of Jesus when He said to first seek the kingdom of God, and not to worry about what we shall eat or wear. (Matthew 6:25-34)
Much has already been said about this prayer, and it is not our intention to again analyze it here. However, there are two items, right at the top of the list, that are becoming more prominent as we see the Day approaching, and that is for God’s kingdom to come, and for His will to be done. This is a much bigger topic than is commonly understood as we usually pray this prayer on auto-pilot, without paying much attention to what we say as we pray these words. God is looking for prayers that come out of our hearts, not so much out of our heads. For faith to work it is important that we know and understand what we ask for.
Jesus started His ministry on earth with the announcement that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Where is the kingdom of heaven? Even Pontius Pilate was interested in this question:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
God’s kingdom is not a geographical domain, neither is it the church, as some think. Unlike earthly kingdoms that have cities and borders, God’s kingdom is found in the hearts where He rules — at least for now. You enter His kingdom by inviting Jesus to rule as Lord in your life, and by obeying His commands.
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20,21
Even though the kingdom of God cannot be seen visibly, its influence and power can be observed very clearly.
Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Luke 10:8,9
But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 11:20
The power and authority of God’s kingdom is at work in the hearts and lives of disciples that are truly committed to Him. Healings, deliverance from demonic oppression, salvation of the lost, etc., are evidences of God’s kingdom at work among us.
As the church labours to expand the kingdom of God, the devil is working hard too to establish himself as king, not only over the earth, but to supplant God Himself. (Isaiah 14:12-14) That is why He was quick to approach Jesus with an offer to give Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. (Matthew 4:8-9) Note that Jesus did not dispute his claim to ownership of the world’s kingdoms — just watch the news and you will know who is king of the world right now. God gave Adam dominion over the earth, but the devil snatched it from him when Adam disobeyed the command not to eat from that tree. When that happened, a spiritual law was activated that made Satan the steward — and Adam his slave:
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16
Adam became the devil’s servant over the domain where he had the authority! Paul even calls the devil “the god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4. So did Jesus in John 12:31. Satan is legally the god of this world — but not the owner — God is. The devil’s “lease” of the earth has an end; God’s property will be restored back to Him, and we have a role to play in making it happen. It seems that praying for God’s kingdom to come goes far beyond the span of our lives on earth, making this prayer a prophetic one that will be fully answered in time to come:
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9,10
Who is “us” in this passage? The redeemed, the church! There may yet be rough days ahead of us as the world tears itself apart, but glorious days are coming for God’s children. When the Lamb takes the scroll, heaven breaks out in praise. When God begins to release His wrath on the earth as the seals of the scroll are opened, trumpets sound, and bowls of judgment are poured out, Jesus will be getting ready to claim His kingdom:
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15
Jesus will return to earth after the seven years of tribulation, stand with His feet on the Mount of Olives, and take up His reign over the earth for a thousand years. But He is not alone — look who is coming with Him:
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You. Zechariah 14:4,5
The saints will come with Him! Paul too made mention of it:
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13
Jesus is coming back with His saints, and reign with them! How is it that we will come with Him, unless we had been taken up to be with Him first? God wanted us to rule on the earth from the very beginning, and although the devil spoiled the plan for a while, he will not be successful in the end. He may still try to distract us by throwing adverse circumstances at us, but look what Jesus said about this:
For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:30-32
What Adam gave away, is coming back to us!
Please read Zechariah chapter 14. At the end of the Tribulation period of seven years, the time also known as Jacob’s Trouble, the world will come together against Jerusalem in a battle at Armageddon, but Jesus will destroy them with the brightness of His coming. A remnant of the Jewish nation will then see Jesus, and receive Him as their Messiah:
And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10
God’s kingdom will come, and His will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven when Jesus rules the world as King. The prayer that Jesus taught us to pray will finally be answered. When you pray that prayer, do so with conviction and burning faith, knowing that the Day is fast approaching.
Looking up, and hastening the coming of that Day with you!
Did you know that when you enter God’s kingdom, you have a new culture to adopt to? His kingdom, like every other on earth, has its own food, way of thinking, doing things, its own economy, etc. For you to take advantage of your new country, you will need to learn how things work there and make some changes to your life. Listen to this teaching on the culture of God’s kingdom.
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