As a
missionary dedicated to serving one of the largest unreached people groups, I
often find my prayers overly focused on personal concerns. This
self-orientation in prayer is a struggle many can relate to, as our human
nature tends toward selfishness. Our prayers frequently revolve around our
jobs, health, relationships, and unmet desires, reflecting our anxieties and
fears in a world plagued by sin, sickness, and weakness.
The
Bible teaches us to focus our prayers on God's glory and the coming of His
kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10). This orientation holds immense power, rescuing us
from a narrow, self-centered life and aligning us with God's will on earth as
it is in heaven. Jesus promises that seeking God's kingdom first will alleviate
our anxieties and provide everything we need (Matthew 6:33). Central to this
pursuit is the act of praying for God's kingdom to come.
‘Your Kingdom Come’
When
Jesus taught us to pray, He placed the petition for God's kingdom to come as
the second request (Matthew 6:10). This prioritization underscores its
significance. While it's appropriate to pray for personal comfort and daily
needs, these prayers must be rooted in a desire for God's glory and His
kingdom.
Dutch
theologian Herman Witsius emphasized that our ultimate happiness is found
within God's kingdom. Thus, praying for God's kingdom not only fulfills our
longing for comfort and happiness but also aligns our hearts with God's
intentions for the world. This perspective helps us interpret our challenges as
temporary afflictions preparing us for eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Three Requests for the Kingdom
When
we pray for God's kingdom to come, what exactly are we asking for? The
Westminster Shorter Catechism provides a clear summary:
1.
We pray for the destruction of
Satan's kingdom.
2.
We pray for the advancement of the
kingdom of grace.
3.
We pray for the hastening of the
kingdom of glory.
1. Destroy the Kingdom of Darkness
Firstly,
we pray for the destruction of Satan's kingdom. Although Christ has secured
victory over sin and Satan, the latter still operates as the prince of the
power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), actively seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan blinds unbelievers to the gospel's light (2 Corinthians 4:4), and his
kingdom must fall for Christ's kingdom to be fully established. Praying for
God's kingdom to come is an act of loyalty to Christ and defiance against
Satan's tyranny.
In
the context of missions among unreached people groups, this prayer is crucial.
These areas remain unreached due to deep spiritual resistance. They are
strongholds of Satan not because the people are worse sinners but due to
persistent opposition to the gospel. As Jesus taught in Mark 9:14-29, certain
spiritual battles can only be won through prayer. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights
that we need God's power to overcome these formidable spiritual forces.
Persistent prayer for the destruction of Satan's kingdom is essential for
reaching the unreached.
2. Advance the Kingdom of Grace
Secondly,
we pray for the advancement of the kingdom of grace. This kingdom represents
the present rule of Christ within the church. It is a kingdom not of this world
(John 18:36) but one where God's glory is revealed. This kingdom shines as its
members are transformed by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6).
Praying
for God's kingdom to come involves asking for the flourishing of the church
globally. We pray for the church to be holy, unified, and effective in
proclaiming the gospel. This includes asking for doctrinal reformation, renewed
love among believers, and conversions of the lost. We seek the growth and
multiplication of churches, not just our local ones but across every nation.
This prayer is for the transformation of entire nations through the gospel,
ensuring that the gates of hell will not prevail against the kingdom of grace
(Matthew 16:18).
3. Hasten the Kingdom of Glory
Finally,
we pray for the hastening of the kingdom of glory. This future kingdom
represents the full realization of Christ's reign, where heaven and earth are
renewed (Revelation 11:15; 21:1-3). Puritan Thomas Watson noted that the
kingdom of grace evolves into the kingdom of glory, marking the completion of
God's plan.
Praying
for the kingdom of glory means asking for Christ's return and the establishment
of His perfect rule. We yearn for a world free from sin and suffering, where
peace and righteousness prevail (Hebrews 7:2). We ask for justice to be
realized and for God's glory to be fully manifested. Zacharias Ursinus
described this kingdom as a state where the church reigns gloriously with
Christ, and God is all in all. We pray for the day when we will see Christ face
to face in all His glory (1 Corinthians 13:12).
In
God's mysterious providence, our prayers play a role in ushering in this
kingdom. Orienting our prayers toward God's glory and His kingdom liberates us
from self-centeredness and lifts our hearts towards the eternal glory to come.
"Lord, let your kingdom come!"
.jfif)
