Day 2: My Kingdom Go
Let’s begin day two with the first assignment in scripture, found in Genesis 1, verse 26. “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”
The Hebrew word translated “rule” here indicates that Adam, Eve and their descendants were God’s managers. We read in Psalm 115:16, “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.” Here the Hebrew word translated as “given” means “to assign.” God didn’t give away ownership of the earth but assigned humanity the responsibility to govern it. So when Jesus taught his disciples to pray that God’s kingdom would come, this was what He had in mind - the responsibility to be God’s managers on earth. The person who prays "Your kingdom come" is surrendering his will to the reign of God in his life.
The word for kingdom is taken from basileia, the word for king, and simply means "the reign of the king." The king’s domain or all of the territory of His realm.
Let’s think about some examples of praying for His kingdom to come: "Jesus tells us to pray for labourers of the harvest." Didn’t Paul ask for prayer that the Word would spread rapidly (2 Thessalonians 3:1)? Elijah prayed for rain seven times after a seven-year drought (1 Kings 17 and 18). Abraham asked the Lord for mercy over Sodom and Gomorrah. Throughout the Bible God’s children noticed that prayer is their responsibility in connection with the original call of humanity to be managers or stewards on earth. Here are A.W Tozer thoughts on the Lord’s prayer: “What are we praying for? Should we edit that prayer so that it becomes a confrontation? ‘My kingdom go, Lord: Let Thy kingdom come!’ Certainly, His kingdom can never be realised in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign when I am no longer king of my domain, that Jesus Christ will become king of my life.”
If you pray "Your kingdom come," you are inviting the King, Jesus Christ, to move into your life and the lives of others and breathe His Holy Spirit into you and them. You are praying for new and eternal life, "You are praying, “My kingdom go, and your kingdom come." We are Good News people; we have the resurrection breath of God in our lungs and are partnering with and empowered by God.
Lord,
As our youth pastors pray with young people, Your kingdom come.
As our teachers teach in the classroom, Your kingdom come.
As our community leaders make decisions, Your kingdom come.
As parents at home wonder about their bigger purpose, Your kingdom come.
As the grocery store cashier touches the hand of the lonely, Your kingdom come.
As desperation is seen in the eyes of those with those we encounter, Your kingdom come.
As we wash the dishes, vacuum the carpet, empty the garbage, and drink cold tea, In wakeful nights and spinning thoughts.
I pray, Your kingdom come.
On earth, as it is, in heaven. Amen.
Reflect and Respond
- Ask the Lord if there is any area in your life where you need to respond to “my kingdom go.”
- Ask the Lord where He would like you to participate in His kingdom work more actively.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Prayer Focus
- Pray for the upcoming Board retreat on January 20-21st - for wisdom and insight. Pray for God’s direction as the board meets monthly. Pray for the elders as they engage in more prayer initiatives. Pray for ongoing wisdom, as the elders seek to guide the vision of the church. Pray for your three prayer points.
