Pray Like This: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayerናሙና

Your Kingdom Come

Our world is full of suffering and pain. COVID-19 has ravaged it. Most of us are unable to live normal lives even after two years since the pandemic began. There is injustice and corruption. There is turmoil and unrest in many nations. In the midst of all the chaos and pain, we wonder when all this will end. The Bible says that one day, there will be joy, peace, and justice on this earth. That will happen when God’s Kingdom has fully come on this earth. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray that God’s Kingdom would come to this earth as it is in heaven.

But what is the Kingdom of God? It is the rule of God through the Messiah in the hearts of people who joyfully submit to Him. We have a part in expanding God’s Kingdom. We can do that by praying that the Lord will send out laborers to the harvest field (Matthew 9:37-38). We can expand God’s Kingdom through evangelism and mission work (Matthew 28:18-20). It’s not enough to pray that God’s Kingdom would come on this earth. We must pray and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. As we do evangelism, we extend God’s Kingdom in the hearts of the saved people! We extend God’s Kingdom through our words and deeds. In Matthew 12:28, Jesus says, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” As people get saved, healed, and delivered through our ministry, God’s Kingdom advances on earth.

Today, we see only glimpses of God’s Kingdom. This prayer reveals that we are not satisfied with the way things are. We must pray that God’s Kingdom will fully come on this earth just as He fully reigns in heaven. Let's pray that good will triumph over evil. Let's pray that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10)! Let's pray that those who rebel against God’s love will come under His reign.

As we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, let's also pray that God will reign completely over our individual lives. Before we pray “Your Kingdom come,” say, “I let go of my kingdom.” Let's dethrone ourselves and enthrone Christ. Let Christ reign over your life!