In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the disciples how to and how not to pray. Something Jesus tells the disciples to pray for is God’s Kingdom to come. The question is, what is that kingdom, how can we be a part of it, and how should we pray for it?
The kingdom of God is all throughout the gospels. Many people don’t know because, up until recently, not a lot of churches have focused on it. Too many people focus only on the afterlife and disregard what needs to be done until we get there.
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven mean the same thing. Jesus uses both phrases in Matthew 19:23-24 referring to the same thing. Two of the gospels tell the same story. One uses the Kingdom of God phrase, and the other uses Kingdom of Heaven. Whether it is the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Heaven, the gospels use the phrase about 100 times. So this concept is important.
A short answer to the question, “What is God’s kingdom”, would be this: anything we do that God has called us to do. That’s why Jesus prays, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” It’s accomplishing God’s heavenly will here on earth.
Also note that the mission is not always huge. It involves daily acts of living out what God has for us to do. It may be a simple act of sacrificing for your wife, serving your husband, obeying your parents, or helping a neighbor with a menial task. It’s being obedient to His Word and ways. You can read more here about the (3 Basics to Understanding “The Kingdom of God.” You can also read here about “how to live in the kingdom of God.
Once we figure out that living out God’s kingdom is simply living out His will for our lives through obedience, we can start to pray for that. We can pray, “God, I really want to do “x,” which is sin, but I need you to help me do “y” which you have called me to.” Or, “God, you have called me to do “z” as a part of my Christian life, please help me accomplish your mission.”
Is the kingdom of God missional? Of course it is. It involves growing that kingdom through bringing others into it. It’s praying for God to work through our lives to add more followers to God’s kingdom.
But first and foremost, our attention should be on living out the kingdom of God in our own lives; growing in what God has called us to, and completing the mission God has called us to. When we do that, we show others what the kingdom is like before we tell them about how they can repent, believe, and be a part of that kingdom.
Think About It
Do you belong to the kingdom of God?
Do you pray for help in accomplishing God’s kingdom work in your life?
Do you pray for God to purify you and help you obey Him as King?
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”