WEEK SIX
March 13 - March 19
Theme: Thy Kingdom Come: Characteristics of the Kingdom

“Thy kingdom come” is the second of seven requests Christ teaches his disciples to pray in beseeching God. It is a cry for God to be enthroned in our lives, our churches, neighborhoods and nations. Those who embrace the kingdom must live by its rules as they anticipate Christ’s eventual return and eternal reign of peace. God’s kingdom does not conform to the kingdoms of this world. It is a kingdom of righteousness based on trust, servanthood, humility, and forgiveness. It is a kingdom of true freedom and equality where all are one in Christ. Jesus gives his followers the authority to open the doors to this kingdom, inviting the world to enter in. If you seek God with all your heart, it will be the “Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Sunday, March 13
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

THY WILL BE DONE

Within scripture there are many references to prayer. There are different categories of prayer, which most of us are familiar with: repentance, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession, etc. Jesus Himself prayed, and taught us, His followers how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is often prayed aloud during church services, but how many of us have taken a deeper look at what Jesus is teaching us? We begin praying by looking to God in heaven and proclaiming the holiness of His name. We know that God is on His throne, He is omnipresent, all knowing, loving, and above all, holy. “Thy kingdom come” reminds us that Jesus will return in glory to reign, the hope of all believers. Though we do not know the day or time of His return, we are confident that this will happen.

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” often spills out of our mouths without truly considering what it really means to have the Lord’s will come to fruition in our lives. We may say that we want the Lord’s will to be done, but do we live that out each day? Our world has become accustomed to receiving instant gratification. To quote my toddler granddaughter, “I want that, I need that!” Look around you, and someone is bound to be face to face with something electronic. Whether it’s a cell phone, a laptop, or tablet, everyone is able to retrieve information, or make contact with others any time, day or night. Let’s face it; we believe we have a fair amount of control over our lives. One look at our day planners or electronic calendars is a good reminder of this!  We desperately need another approach. Consider Him who knitted us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). His thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  As has been said many times, “Thy will be done”, not “my will be done.”  Surrendering all the desires of our hearts (big and small), and the plans we have made to God can be difficult. Yet, scripture reminds us He has a plan for each individual, and for the entire universe. His will shall be accomplished, to His Glory. God’s heavenly kingdom is a perfect place! His will for us is perfect as well.

In the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Marcarius the Great suggests this regarding prayer, “There is no need to make long discourses. It is enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, ‘Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.’”

PRAYER
Lord, we praise your name! Your will and ways are perfect. I ask for your will to be carried out every moment of every day in my life. Let me not be fearful of the unknown, but confident in the promises of your word. Help me to anticipate the events of my life as the work of your mighty hands.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Becky Fallon, Assistant Professor of Nursing