The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:36-37
In the second petition, Jesus instructs us to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.
The question is, what is the kingdom of God? In Jesus’ day, there were many who mistakenly believed that the kingdom of God was an earthly one. Jesus dispelled this falsehood by declaring that His kingdom is not of this world. Rather, it is a spiritual one made up of believers in whose hearts the Lord reigns through His Word.
How does the kingdom of God come? Luther writes in his Large Catechism: “For the coming of God’s kingdom to us happens in two ways: (a) here in time through the Word and faith (Matthew 13), and (b) in eternity forever through revelation (Luke 19:11; 1 Peter 1:4-5).”
The second petition is a plea we make for all believers, as well as for unbelievers. We petition God to make it possible for the kingdom of God to continue to come to us by enabling us to turn to the Lord each day with a penitent and believing heart so that we remain in the faith to the very end. This petition is also a mission prayer, beseeching the Lord to extend His kingdom by bringing more and more to faith through His powerful Word. Finally, we are praying that God’s eternal kingdom comes on the last day of this world so that by His grace we may enjoy the everlasting bliss of heaven.
Thy kingdom come. Thine let it be in time and in eternity.
Let Thy good Spirit e’er be nigh our hearts with graces to supply.
Break Satan’s pow’r, defeat his rage; preserve Thy Church from age to age. Amen
The Lutheran Hymnal 458:3