Your kingdom come - Matthew 6:10

Matthew 6:10a – Your Kingdom Come

What are we asking for when we pray, ‘Your Kingdom come’?

Heidelberg Catechism Question 123:

“Your kingdom come” means:

• Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you.
• Preserve your church and make it grow.
• Destroy the devil’s work. Destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your holy Word. Do this until your kingdom fully comes when you will be all in all.

‘Your kingdom come’ is a prayer that:

1. We would be obedient subjects of the King

God is the creator and the king of the world, but we have lived in defiance to him. Jesus has come proclaiming the good news of ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.’ To those, who have repented and become subjects in his kingdom, he calls us to ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.’ We are called to live in obedience to him as our king.

When you next pray ‘Your Kingdom come’ what area of your life will you ask God to help you submit in obedience to him in?

2. We would be evangelistic subjects of the King

Jesus, the King of the Kingdom, commissions his followers to tell others of the good news of his kingdom and gather more people to follow him. Jesus does think whilst warning there are those who will try and shut the doors of his kingdom so people cannot enter (Matthew 23:13).

When you next pray ‘Your kingdom come’ who will you ask that God grants repentance and faith to that they might enter Jesus’ kingdom? Who will you pray for opportunities to speak to?

3. We would be patient subjects of the King

Jesus promises that he will return and put an end to the works of the Devil, bring judgment upon those who would not repent, and welcome his people into the joy of his kingdom. Praying ‘Your kingdom come’ invites us to patiently wait for that day.

When you next pray ‘Your kingdom come’ what situations, globally, amongst your friends and family, or in your own life will you ask God to come quickly and put right?

Questions for us: If this is God’s world and he is its king, then why do we need to pray ‘Your kingdom come’? How do we enter Jesus’ Kingdom? Why does entering his kingdom demand that we obedient to him as our king? What area of your life do you need his help to submit to him? How should praying ‘Your kingdom come’ spur us to consider our neighbours? Who are you praying for the opportunity and boldness to speak to about Jesus? How is praying ‘Your kingdom come’ praying for the end of the world? Is that good news or bad news? What situations have you read about lately that cause you to pray ‘Your kingdom come’? What situations in your or your family’s life cause you to pray ‘Your kingdom come’?