Maybe I'm the only one who thought that way...
Now that I have been learning about the secrets of the kingdom, it has taken on new meaning.
Matt 6:9-13 (NIV)
“This, then, is how you should pray:Youngs Literal Translation vs. 10:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 the evil one.’
`Thy reign come: Thy will come to pass, as in heaven also on the earth. '
I am now recognizing that the kingdom of God is not just a distant future reality, but an active kingdom that God wants me to be part of right now.
This prayer takes on special meaning when I recognize I can call on God to reign now, in my life, in my surroundings. To pray that God's will be done in my present situation is to pray for God's reign or kingdom to be active and present in my life. It is also to pray that I can be part of what God is doing in this world as His kingdom advances.
When we combine this with the previous kingdom passages in Matt, we can assume that God's healing powers will also be active when we call for His kingdom to come.
In terms of being held captive by sin. Praying for God's reign to come will deliver us from the evil one. The only way to be free from the kingdom of darkness is the join the kingdom of light.
We can also assume this rule or reign of God will be good news to the poor, that God will provide for the needs of His people... that He will give us today our daily bread.
So after all these years, this prayer has become my favorite prayer again.
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