Lord's Day 47

Devotion

We live in a world of many nations, tribes, and languages, but in the bigger picture there are really only two kingdoms that ultimately matter: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan (see Matthew 12:25-28).

Because of the sinfulness of the human heart, we are all natural born citizens of the Kingdom of Satan. In Ephesians 2 the apostle reminds us of our previous citizenship, saying, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” We were all captives to the power and rule of sin in our lives, and Satan was our cruel and wicked master.

But thanks to the goodness of God in Jesus Christ, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Col. 1:13-14. We are, even now, citizens of the Kingdom of God and live under his benevolent and gracious care.

The second petition of the Lord’s prayer, then, is that we may experience and recognize the reality of God’s kingdom in our lives, living lives worthy of our calling. We also pray that God’s kingdom may advance in the world around us; that through the ministry and outreach of the church all people may be brought into the kingdom. Immediately the prayer focuses our attention, not just on how our lives might reflect the glory of the Kingdom of God, but also on our responsibility of bringing others into the kingdom as well. We cannot pray “Thy Kingdom Come” unless we are willing to see God’s kingdom manifested in ourselves, and to share God’s kingdom with those around us.

There is also an “End Times” element to this petition. When we pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, we are also praying that Christ’s second coming may be hastened. We long for the day when the kingdom will be completed, the war will be over, and the peaceful kingdom of righteousness and glory may be known in full. Then, when Christ reigns in glory, we shall “see his face, and his name will be on [our] foreheads. And night will be no more. [We] will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be [our] light, and [we] will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:4-5). For this we pray, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer

Almighty God, may your kingdom come, and may it be seen in our lives, and shared with those who do not know it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly for your people. Amen.

Question 102

Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come,” we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Scripture Proofs

Matt. 6:10;

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Ps. 68:1;

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!

Ps. 68:18;

You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

Rev. 12:10-11;

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

2 Thess. 3:1;

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,

Rom. 10:1;

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

1 John 17:9;

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

1 John 17:20;

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Rev. 22:20.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

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