Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name.
“Thy Kingdom come”
The Bible tells us that there are two kingdoms that exist. The first is the kingdom of this world. It is the one that we read about in the paper every morning. It is the one that fights about power, money, borders and distinctions. This is the kingdom that is made up of what we can see. There is happiness, sadness, disease, violence, pleasure, ups and downs, etc. It is constantly changing depending on who is in power or who has the most resources…etc. The Scripture says this is a temporary…fleeting kingdom where “moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19).
The other kingdom is the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that is eternal. In the Bible it is described as a Kingdom where God, the Creator, reigns as Sovereign Lord. It is a Kingdom where all of creation can experience fellowship as it was intended. It is a kingdom that sees all the world, physical and spiritual, from God’s perspective. In this Kingdom all things find purpose and meaning. It is a kingdom where we can experience genuine love and relationship with God and others. It is not limited by what we see, but extends beyond anything that we can fathom. In fact, the power of this Kingdom reigns supreme in both kingdoms and when we are reconciled in our relationship to “Our Father” this Kingdom “comes” in us.
You see, we are not talking about a Kingdom in a land far far away, we are talking about a Kingdom that is here. We are talking about something that we can experience right now. Wherever God reigns…His Kingdom comes!
Therefore, when we pray this phrase of the Lord’s prayer we are asking for God’s Kingdom to come in us as His people. The Bible tells us that we can be ambassadors of that Kingdom. We can be partners with God…instruments in His hands to bring HIS Kingdom to light in this world.
At one time we all only knew of the one kingdom. The one that we can see…the one that is here today and gone tomorrow. But now, we have seen more and it is our responsibility…privilege…to share this good news with others who only know of the one.
Today, as you pray the Lord’s prayer pause on that phrase…”Thy Kingdom come”….and make it personal.
O God, may Thy Kingdom come today in me.