THY KINGDOM COME

The word “kingdom” can cause us some confusion here. We can be led off on a rabbit trail of theology wondering what effect this prayer might have on our particular millennial view! “Kingdom” also means “kingship, royal rule, reign.”

What a lesson in prayer this was for those disciples! What would this prayer have meant for them? They were Jewish men looking for the advent of their Messiah. They lived in an Israel that had largely lost its relationship with God. They (along with almost all of their countrymen) were looking for a military/political Messiah who would free them from a pagan Roman rule. The righteous Jews were often referred to as those who were “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” They were waiting for the kingdom. Jesus taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come!”

What did Jesus mean? He knew that in some sense the kingdom of heaven had already come. He was announcing the kingdom in towns and villages throughout the land. Yet he taught his disciples to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom. Whenever we see Jesus sad, grieving, or weeping, he is sorrowful over the godlessness of Israel and the unbelief of the people. His heart longs to see God’s name reverenced. He aches to see a people return to his Father. His passion is to see the kingship of God recognized and his royal majesty honored.

Do those circumstances sound familiar to 21st Century Christians? Is there a longing in our hearts, an ache in our souls to see God’s name worshiped? Does it bring any tears to our eyes that the people around us are perishing in godlessness? Then this should be our prayer:

O Father! Please let your kingdom come! Make people see your greatness and majesty! Turn the hearts of rebels so they will kneel before your royal rule. May the power of your reign grow so that people will not be able to deny your kingship. No matter what else may happen in our world, show yourself to be the sovereign ruler of all mankind! Let your kingdom come!