Series: Forty Days of Seeking First the Kingdom of God
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Daily Insight:
Living the Kingdom Prayer: Kingdom prayers go beyond words; they are a dynamic commitment to embodying the values of God’s Kingdom in our daily walk. By praying "Your kingdom come," we pledge to be co-laborers with Christ, actively working to manifest the reality of His reign in our everyday lives and interactions.
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Matthew 6:10 (CSB)
Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The Value of Kingdom Prayer
Neglecting prayer is neglecting the pursuit of the Kingdom of God. It's impossible to seek the Kingdom of God first if you don't know how to pray Kingdom prayers. Matthew 6:10 presents a staggering truth, a hidden treasure within the simplicity of Christ's words. This verse isn't just a component of a prayer model; it's a doorway into the profound mystery of God's Kingdom. When Jesus tells us to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," He invites us into something far beyond a mere religious exercise. It's an invitation to step into the reality of a Kingdom both present and yet to be fully realized.
Already Not Yet Praying
Mark 1:15 (CSB): "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"
This announcement in Mark 1:15 is revolutionary. The Kingdom of God, a central theme throughout Scripture, is now breaking into our reality through Jesus. Yet, as we look around, it's clear that the fullness of this Kingdom is not yet here. We live in the tension of the 'already' and the 'not yet,' a concept theologians aptly describe as the "Already Not Yet" aspects of the Kingdom of God.
This tension between the 'already' and 'not yet' is designed not to perplex us, but to kindle within us a fervent passion for Kingdom living. When Jesus instructs us to pray for the coming of God's Kingdom, He's not suggesting a passive waiting; He's calling us to active engagement. This prayer becomes a declaration of our desire to see the values of heaven manifested on earth, a passionate plea for the reign of Christ to be evident in our lives and our world.
The Kingdom of God is not just a future hope; it's a present reality. We can now experience it in moments of grace, acts of love, and the pursuit of godliness. But it's also something we long for, something we eagerly await in its fullness. This Kingdom is where Christ rules completely, and everything returns to an Eden-type mindset, a place of peace and order. As followers of Jesus, we're caught in this beautiful tension, experiencing the Kingdom now but also aching for its fulfillment.
Reshaping our Prayers
Luke 11:1 (CSB): He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples."
Just as the disciples sought guidance in prayer, we too are called to reshape our prayers to align with the Kingdom's values. Considering the dual aspect of the Kingdom should radically shape our lives. It calls us to live with a sense of urgency and expectancy, to be agents of Kingdom change in a broken world. It's a call to live in a counter-cultural way that reflects Christ's Kingdom's values rather than the world's values.
When Jesus instructs us to pray, "Your kingdom come," He invites us to join in a divine partnership. We are called to be co-laborers with Christ, working to bring glimpses of heaven to earth through our actions, decisions, and interactions. This prayer is a commitment to live out the values of the Kingdom in our everyday lives—values of righteousness, peace, and love.
Praying Kingdom prayers is not a passive activity. It's an active engagement in the spiritual battles that rage around us. It's standing in the gap for a broken world, interceding for the lost, the hurting, and the marginalized. It's declaring with our words and our lives that we serve a King whose reign transcends time and space.
Prayer Immersion
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (CSB): pray constantly,
Thus, immersing ourselves in Kingdom-focused prayer is foundational to truly seeking God's Kingdom. It's not enough to merely understand the concept; we must live it out. Our prayers should reflect a deep desire to see God's will done on earth as it is in heaven, and our lives should be a testament to this Kingdom pursuit.
When we pray, "Your kingdom come," we're not just uttering words but aligning our hearts with God's purposes. We're expressing our hunger for God's rule in every aspect of life, our longing for the day when Christ will return and everything will be made right. This prayer challenges us to live in the now with our eyes fixed on the not yet, fully committed to the cause of Christ, living as citizens of His Kingdom in a world that desperately needs to know its King.
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