Many of us have been praying the Lord’s Prayer since we were children. But as I was reflecting on different aspects and meanings of this prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples, this sentence stood out: Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). When we pray “Your kingdom come…” what are we asking of God? Is it a yearning for Christ’s soon return? Is it a desire to see God’s Kingdom expand and grow throughout the world? Or is it simply a prayer that we routinely pray?
Though we have been given very specific signs of Christ’s return, no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, we are urged to keep watch (Matthew 25:13). But as we wait for Christ’s return, we are called to be about our Father’s business. In other words, our priority should be to actively pursue and fulfill His will and share His message with others.
We ask for God’s Kingdom to come, but what is God’s Kingdom? First, it is the realm where God reigns supreme, Jesus Christ is King, God’s authority is recognized, and His will is obeyed.
Secondly, because of His Kingdom, those who have accepted Christ as Savior, are delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved son (Colossians 1:13).
More importantly, God’s Kingdom is within the born-again believer who is to share His truth with those who, like the Pharisees, did not understand God’s Kingdom. When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus was saying that the Kingdom of God is within us if we choose His kingdom over the kingdom of darkness.
The second part of the passage discusses God’s will, so how is God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven? Jesus answered that question when He said,“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). In other words, Jesus is calling us to be message bearers and overcomers. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5 NIV).
As believers and overcomers, God’s Word should reign daily in our hearts. For when His Word is supreme in one’s heart and mind, truth arises to defeat the enemy. That faith and boldness for things of the Lord develop when we daily communicate with our heavenly Father through prayer and reading and learning His Word. Then we use those imprinted truths to do God’s will and be a light that carries His message to the lost.
Are we allowing God’s will to reign in us? Are we available and willing to say, “Here I am.” When Moses heard God call to him from the burning bush, he responded, “Here I am.” His response began the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt (Exodus 3:4).
God tested Abraham’s faith and said, “Abraham!” Immediately, he answered, “Here I am.” Then God instructed him to take his only son and sacrifice him. Abraham was obedient to God and just before he thrust the knife into Issac’s heart, God stopped him and provided a ram for the sacrifice. God was testing Abraham and his devotion and obedience to Him.
Samuel, as a child, was called by the Lord one night. Believing that the priest Eli was calling him, he went to him and asked what he wanted. Eli, knowing that it was God who had spoken to Samuel, instructed him to return to bed and answer the LORD, “Here I am.” Samuel responded and would eventually anoint both Saul and David as the first kings of Israel (I Samuel 3:4).
The prophet Isaiah received a vision from God calling him to deliver a message to the people of Judah who were in sin. When Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah had taken it one step further and told God to send him.
If we have accepted Christ as Savior, His Holy Spirit will guide and direct our lives to answer the call to “…declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples” (Psalm 96:3). We are to always be prepared, with gentleness and respect to share the reason for our hope (I Peter 3:15). For “…we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthian 5:20).
Jesus had said to the apostles, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2) The Apostle Paul said, “…I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ (Philemon 1:6).
Every day we see the world growing darker as evil abounds and more apocalyptic events are occurring around the world. Many are asking what is happening. However, Christ followers have the privilege of being His hands and feet, but will we say to the Lord, “Send me to that person who needs the hope of Christ.” Clearly, God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven” is for all to come into His Kingdom.
Fifty-three years ago, my sister-in-law shared Christ and my life changed dramatically when I invited Christ to be Lord of my life. I could not wait to share the joy and peace that I was experiencing. We, as Christians, have a precious privilege to offer that same hope and joy to friends, family, neighbors, strangers, and anyone whom God places before us.
Each born-again Christian has their own unique story of that day when they committed their heart and life to Christ. But are we willing to tell that person, who is searching for answers, the truth that we have within. Surely, we who love and serve Christ want others to experience that same joy of knowing our Savior and having eternal security with Him.
PRAYER: FATHER, I ask that each day You show me how to be Your hands and feet. And give me faith and courage to “…always [be] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks [me] to give an account for the hope that is in [me], yet with gentleness and reverence…” (I Peter 3:15). And may my answer to You always be, “Here I am. Send me.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
Note: Scripture is from either the NKJV or KJV unless otherwise stated.