Matthew 6:10 (ESV)Jesus gives the disciples a very interesting instruction in His lesson on prayer. He tells them to pray for God's kingdom to come and God's will to be done on earth just like it is in heaven. What does it mean to pray for God's kingdom to come?
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Pharisees in Jesus day were also looking for God's kingdom to come but they did not recognize it when it arrived. They were looking for an earthly kingdom and a king to throw out the evil gentiles. I think we Christians today often fail to see the kingdom in our midst as well. We can be just as wrapped up in our "religion" as the Pharisees in Jesus' day.
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)When we pray, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, we're not asking for God's kingdom to come down to earth, as it is already here. Maybe this prayer is asking God to open our spiritual eyes and see His kingdom in our midst. How would my prayer life be affected if I really believed and lived like the kingdom of God was here and now?
20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
