Your Kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.

This prayer to the Father in heaven is sometimes couched as a hopeful but doubtful wish (if it only could be!) or as a reality for a distant future when Jesus comes to “give ’em what for.” Far too often we recite this prayer taught by Jesus (Matthew 6:9-13) with little thought to any present demands it places upon us. Indeed prayer in general is often nothing more than words said a particular way in a particular setting for the sake of conscience, ritual or others, rather than a meaningful conversation with the Father whose name is hallowed.

Sunday we will learn that the meaning of this prayer involves the unconditional surrender of our lives to our Father’s reign and commitment to doing our Father’s will. Such surrender and commitment are not forced upon us by a heavy hand, but drawn from us by our Father’s eternal love and holiness. We “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God” (1 John 3:1) and we love Him. We stand in awe of our Father’s holiness – all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise, inescapable, perfectly righteous, perfectly just, beautiful beyond compare – and we trust Him.

Having prayed, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,” how can we not pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

I hope you’ll join us Sunday as we learn, pray and surrender to our Father.

Book Recommendations
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung