In His Name Devotionals
PRAYING FOR CHRIST’S RULE
In His Name Devotionals
PRAYING FOR CHRIST’S RULE
“Thy Kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)
When we hear the word kingdom, we tend to think of medieval castles, kings, knights, and the like. But “kingdom” in Matthew 6:10 means “rule” or “reign.” We could translate the phrase, “Thy reign come.” That gives a clearer sense of what Christ meant. He prayed that God’s rule would be as apparent on earth as it is in Heaven.
God’s Kingdom was the central issue in Christ’s ministry. He proclaimed “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 4:23) and instructed His followers to make the Kingdom a priority in their own lives (Matt. 6:33). He told parables about its character and value (Matt. 13) and indicted the scribes and Pharisees for hindering those who sought to enter it (Matt. 23:13). After His death and resurrection, He appeared for forty days and gave the disciples further instruction about the Kingdom (Acts 1:2-3).
When we pray, “Thy kingdom come,” we are praying for Christ’s sovereign rule to be as established on earth as it is in Heaven. In a very real sense the Kingdom is already here ... in the hearts of Christians. That Kingdom consists of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). But in another sense the Kingdom is yet future. In Luke 17:21 Jesus says, “Behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst (cf. John 18:36). Their King was present, but they rejected Him. Someday He will return again and that’s the aspect of the Kingdom we pray for in Matthew 6:10.
Sin and rebellion are rampant, but when Christ comes, they will be done away with (Rev.20:7-9). In the meantime, the work of the Kingdom continues, and we have the privilege of promoting it through our prayers and faithful ministry. Take every opportunity to do so today, and rejoice in the assurance that Christ will someday come in victory and will be glorified for all eternity.
