Where’s the Kingdom?

In a recent conversation with my daughter, I told her that when I was in elementary school in South Africa the student assembly would be led in prayer every morning. The conclusion of that prayer would be the entire student assembly saying together:

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever (and ever). Amen.

My daughter was surprised. This was the model that Jesus gave to His disciple when He was teaching about people talking with God. It has been called “The Lord’s Prayer”.

During my young adult life journey this prayer became a curious thought process. What did the part “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” mean. What would that look like? If I had prayed this over and over again in my youth, how was God going to answer this prayer? God answers our prayers, right? When would God answer and how would I recognize this answer to that prayer? When I had said these words in that school assembly, was I praying, engaging in a routine, or did I even know the reason for my participation? Also, what was I expecting? There could have been so many other thoughts or distractions going on at this time during those assemblies, but I don’t remember those details.

As I journeyed in my walk with the Lord God, I embraced the words as a model from which to pray. This became a meditation of what each statement could mean. Sometimes I would meditate through all verses nine to thirteen. Other times I would stop somewhere and meditate on what I had just said. And other times I would stop anywhere and continue in many directions. I was either distracted back to the physical activity of the day or maybe another prayer thought.

“The kingdom of God is within you."

But God answering this prayer or prayer model was a certainty! God is faithful and He answers prayer. When and how is not important, but that He does is a glorious truth!

In time God answered my thoughts and prayers as stated in an above paragraph. When Jesus began His Galilean ministry, He began to preach and say,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 KJV)

Where? At hand. Jesus was saying it is within Himself. Therefore, when I reached out and asked Jesus into my life, He became my Lord and Savior. So, for me, His kingdom was no longer just at hand, it was within me, because Jesus, by His Holy Spirit was in me. Therefore, by Holy Spirit the kingdom of God would now be evident in me. So, I became accountable! My ongoing question now is, “Lord, is Your kingdom evident in me?”

Jesus also explained to those who questioned Him.

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you”. (Luke 17:20-21 NKJV).

So, my prayer is answered. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am one of the ones through whom His kingdom is come and His will is being done in earth as it is in Heaven. And so, when we as followers of Jesus Christ seek first His Kingdom and His will, we corporately reveal and bring God’s kingdom in earth as it is in Heaven.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Come, Lord Jesus, come!