Kingdom Come

Prayer may be defined in many ways, but I think we should see it as communication that leads to encounter with God.  Jesus tells us to consider our approach….we are not renters…we don’t’ come with a “I’ll do my part and you do your part” deal.  We come ass children to our Father.  

Then we come with petitions…John Newton said, “Thou art coming to a king, large petitions with thee bring.”  Jesus tells us to come with three petitions,

1. Hallowed be your name,
2. Your Kingdom come,
3. Your will be done.

Yesterday we looked at the first…let’s focus on the second, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”  The kingdom of God is simply the rule of God.  It is historic…Jesus ushered it in when He came.  It is future…there is coming a day when Jesus will come back and usher it in fully.  But it is also present…it is here and at the same time not yet.
We are to seek it first (Matt 6:33), we are to value it over all, we inherit it, and it is within us because the Holy Spirit is in us.  JI Packer said, “God’s kingdom is not a place; rather, it is is a relationship.”  

We ask for His Kingdom to come because His name is not hallowed.  When we ask for His kingdom to come we are asking for our kingdom to go!  So, with that in mind…let me suggest a few things that happen when we pray for His kingdom to come.

First, we are asking for personal conformity to His will.  That’s why Jesus added…your will be done!  Does our life reflect Jesus as King?  Spend time thinking and asking for the Holy Spirit to show you where it doesn’t and repent.

Second, we are asking for lost people to be saved.  If we are not born again we cannot see the kingdom of God.  (John 3:3)

Finally, we are asking for His return…come Lord quickly!  When we long for His name to be hallowed, when we long to see Him face to face, we won’t be satisfied seeing in a mirror dimly.  We want Him to come and to come now.