The phrase “the kingdom of God” can sound strange to our ears but Jesus spoke often of God’s kingdom and the kingdom of Heaven[1] (which are essentially the same). His early followers were anticipating a political uprising against Rome when Jesus began to speak of his kingdom, but that was not what he came to establish. Some have rightly described the kingdom of God as a “now and not yet” kingdom. One day Christ will return to judge all mankind, permanently depose Satan and usher in a new heaven and a new earth where he will rule and reign unopposed forever. We can think of that future day as the “not yet” of God’s kingdom. But in the meantime, we can consider his kingdom to be anywhere we find God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule. This is the “now” of God’s kingdom. Sometimes it’s helpful to think of this present and emerging kingdom as places where God is breaking through the darkness of this world and reigning in the lives of his people. That’s what Jesus meant when he said, “the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”[2]
So, when we pray for God’s kingdom to come (like The Lord’s Prayer describes), we are praying to become a part of his advancing kingdom and inviting him to rule and reign in our lives, right where we are. We are asking to be a part of his movement in the world, and for his will to be done—in our neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, homes, and hearts.
Praying for God’s kingdom to come means pledging allegiance to his rule and relinquishing self-rule. It means refusing to build our own little kingdoms in competition with his. It means confessing that we belong to him, and that he is the one we live to please. When we seek his will, obey his Word, and love and serve others in his name, we are ushering in God’s kingdom. It’s not magic. It’s really the most practical thing in the world.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
[1] Mark 1: 13-14; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10: 5-8
[2] Matthew 10:7