Prayer RevolutionEsimerkki

The King Comes in Prayer

The beginning of kingdom history begins with Christ as the eternal Creator-King. Jesus’ kingdom comes in person when He “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). In the incarnation of Jesus, the kingdom proper takes up residence in the domain of humankind. Reconciling heaven and earth through His blood, Jesus becomes the firstborn of the new humanity and the Redeemer of all creation. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is God’s verdict that Christ’s work is finished, final, and forever sufficient for completing every kingdom purpose: “[God has] declared [him] to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).

The kingdom moves from promise to realization when Jesus ascends and is exalted to the right hand of God. “From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky,” Jesus ascends upward to the apex and summit of heaven and earth. The vulnerable Savior has become the invincible King of kings. Christ pours out His Holy Spirit from on high, the sum and symbol of His redemptive victory.

The eyes of faith are fixed ever upward to the enthroned King. The gaze of faith is ever forward to His imminent return. Praying, especially praying together, is our means of experiencing the present ascension presence and power of Christ. As Jesus told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” And the disciples “joined together constantly in prayer.” Prayer is the instrument and means by which believers are sustained until Jesus returns. All prayer is now kingdom prayer, as all prayer is mediated through Christ, every promise guaranteed by His power and magnificence.