Tuesday 21st May
Read Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.” (NIVUK)
Every day we pray this prayer we are praying for God’s mission to go forth. In one sense God’s kingdom has already come because there is nothing that escapes His rule. But when we pray ‘your kingdom come’ we are asking that it be fully realised, consummated, and fulfilled, as soon as possible.
There are two immediate consequences to praying in this way. First we are pledging ourselves to be part of bringing that kingdom in, we are praying and asking to be transformed into missional people – seeking God’s kingdom advance and grow.
Second we are praying that Jesus return. Ultimately that is when God’s kingdom will be fully and finally realised. If we have holiday plans, wedding plans, career goals that we really want to enjoy, we likely can’t pray ‘your kingdom come’ with sincerity.
The most earnest hope of the early church was that Jesus would come. When we align ourselves with God, we long for that too.
