THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 6:9-15
“Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
This line captures the intent of the whole prayer, of all prayer.
“In heaven” does not refer to a place, but to God’s presence, to God Himself.
In God’s presence, His Name is honoured, His will is done, His kingdom is come.
In God’s presence, daily bread is provided, sins are forgiven, and people rescued from evil.
Our problem ‘down here’ is that we have separated ourselves from God.
And the result is brokenness, immorality, misery, grief, violence, death.
Our world has ceased to be God’s kingdom – not because God is no longer in charge.
It is because we no longer acknowledge God, we no longer welcome His rule in our hearts.
The kingdom of God is this world under the authority of God-like humans.
By this prayer, we are willingly asking God to be first in our hearts.
We want everything on earth to be just as it was meant to be.
By praying this, we are committing to making it so in our lives.
I want everything in my life to be just as it was meant to be.
This is not a passive prayer – “God You do it!” – but an active prayer – “May it be so in me!”
Prayer is not a means of getting what we want – that would be about our kingdom.
Prayer is a means for getting what God wants – His dream, His best, His kingdom.
When I pray, what am I praying for… for my kingdom, or for His?
Reflect on how you prayed yesterday, if you prayed; what do your prayers say about your hearts’ desire?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, may Your kingdom become real in me, as I live each day with You in this world.
This is how you should pray
could be – this is how you should live.
Remember the Garden – Adam walked and talked with the Father each day. It was natural. It was His place. And Adam was a willing worker doing what he was placed to do.
And so today I too am placed in His world. My world belongs to God. All what I am and want to be must be in total service to Him. I am working in His garden and while I am working I am walking and talking and praising God for His joy gives me strength. It’s all for Jesus and that is only a possibility when I stay in touch with God. His will be done and my will must be aligned to His.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be