The Lord’s Prayer, Part 2 – May Your Kingdom Come

Followers of Jesus noticed the way he prayed and asked for guidance. “Pray like this,”

The Lord’s Prayer by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13  Luke 11:1-4

Kingdom – area ruled by the King
Where Father God who is in Heaven, rules above anyone or anything else.
Where the glorious pure powerful love of God permeates everyone, everything.
Where nothing stands in the way of God.

“Here is another illustration Jesus used – Matthew 13:31-33

The Kingdom of God is limitless and nourishing. Life-giving.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'” – Matthew 4:16-17

“Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” – Matthew  5:10

“Heal the sick and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near you now.'” – Luke 10:9

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17

righteousness – includes healthy relationships of loving respect between us and God, and between us and others

peace – where everyone is brought to full health, no more conflict, completion

joy – state of happiness, content

under the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Oh God! Please bring your Kingdom in me, my home, my family, my friends, my neighborhood, my city…

my church Ephesians 3:10-11

my city “seek the peace of the city…and pray to the Lord for it, for in its peace, you will have peace,” – Jeremiah 29:7

“Augustine says God is reigning now, but just as a light is absent to those refusing to open their eyes, so it is possible to refuse God’s rule. This is the cause of all our human problems, since we were created to serve him, and when we serve other things in God’s place, all spiritual, psychological, cultural, and even material problems ensue.” – Timothy Keller  Prayer

John Calvin believed there were two ways God’s kingdom comes – through the Spirit, who “corrects our desires” and through the Word of God, which “shapes our thoughts.”

Both: “Kingdom come here and now. Kingdom come soon (return of Jesus).”

Martin Luther adds, “The reign of God on earth is only partial now, but the fullness of the future kingdom is unimaginable. All suffering, injustice, poverty, and death will be ended. To pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is to ‘yearn for that future life’ of justice and peace, and to ask that ‘your future kingdom may be the end and consummation of the kingdom you have begun in us.'”