Thy Kingdom Come: Understanding its Meaning
What Does "Thy Kingdom Come" Mean?
In the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come" refers to the establishment of God's reign on earth. It's a plea for God's authority to be evident in our lives and the world.
Praying "Thy Kingdom Come"
Daily Obedience and Witness:
Praying "Thy kingdom come" involves a desire to live according to God's values. We ask for his guidance to help us live authentically as Christians, reflecting his kingdom principles.
Intercessory Prayer for Salvation:
We also intercede for others through this prayer. We ask God to open hearts to receive Jesus as Savior, bringing about their salvation and God's kingdom into their lives.
Revealing God's Nature:
"Thy kingdom come" is a request for God to manifest his glory and light in the world. We pray that others may experience his presence and be transformed by it.
Submission and Yearning:
As believers, we acknowledge God as our sovereign King. Praying "Thy kingdom come" expresses our desire for his rule in our lives and the world, submitting to his authority.
Future Fulfillment:
While we pray for God's kingdom to come now, we also anticipate its future fulfillment when his reign will be absolute and universal.
Key Points on Praying "Thy Kingdom Come"
Prayer of Submission and Yearning:
- Acknowledging God's sovereignty
- Desiring his rule in our lives and the world
- Anticipating the future fulfillment of his kingdom
Intercessory Prayer for Others:
- Praying for salvation and God's kingdom to come into others' lives
- Interceding for God's will to be done on earth
Daily Obedience and Witness:
- Living according to God's kingdom values
- Reflecting God's holiness, love, and justice in our actions
Understanding God's Will
Praying "Thy will be done" does not imply passive acceptance of God's hidden will. Through Jesus, God's will has been revealed:
- Healing the sick and restoring sight
- Bringing freedom from sin and suffering
By aligning ourselves with this revealed will, we can boldly pray for specific outcomes, such as healing, salvation, and the manifestation of heaven on earth.
What does "Thy kingdom come" mean?
The phrase "Thy kingdom come" in the Lord's Prayer refers to the establishment of God's reign on earth. It is a plea for God to manifest his sovereignty in our lives and in the world.
What does it mean to pray "Thy kingdom come"?
Praying "Thy kingdom come" entails a desire for God's dominion to be evident in our own lives. We ask God to help us live faithfully, obediently, and authentically as Christians. Our actions and character should reflect God's kingdom values (Matthew 7:16, 20; John 13:35; 1 John 3:10).
What is the intercessory element of the prayer "Thy kingdom come"?
The prayer "Thy kingdom come" also includes an intercessory element. We pray for the salvation of sinners (Ezekiel 18:23; Matthew 23:37; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). By asking for God's kingdom to come, we ask him to open the hearts of others to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
What is the significance of praying "Thy kingdom come" in terms of God's nature?
Praying "Thy kingdom come" is a request for God to reveal his holiness, glory, and light in the world (Isaiah 6:1-5). We pray that others may experience his presence and be transformed by it. Jesus himself is the light of the world (John 8:12), and believers are called to be lights in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).
What does it mean to submit to God's rule when we pray "Thy kingdom come"?
As believers, we acknowledge God as our sovereign King. Praying "Thy kingdom come" expresses our desire for his rule over our lives and the world. We submit to his authority and yield to his control in every area of our existence.
How does the prayer "Thy kingdom come" relate to the future?
While we pray for God's kingdom to come in the present, we also anticipate its ultimate fulfillment in the future. We long for the establishment of God's reign in its fullness and permanence, where his sovereignty will be absolute and universal.
