“When we depend on man we get what man can do…when we depend on prayer we get what God can do.” Prayer changes things.
May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In this prayer we’re asking for heaven to come to earth…we’re asking for what’s happening in God’s neighborhood to happen in our own…we’re asking for the mission launched by Jesus to continue in the present and to be consummated at his return in the future. There are two time frames that need to be considered: One is the present and one is the future. The power of God’s kingdom has already…invaded the world…it began with Jesus but it’s obviously not here in its fullness…that has to wait for his return. In this part of the Prayer we have to consider both the present work and the future win. In this episode, we shift our gaze from the future win to the present work of the kingdom in our world.  One of the great ironies of all this: Surprisingly, God seems to link his present work in the world to our prayers. Our prayers make a difference. Our prayers are not our only shot at changing the world, but they are our best shot. Two words that define the kingdom of God:

Surrender: There can be no kingdom without a king. So the kingdom starts when our hearts surrender to the authority and leadership of King Jesus.

Serve: Jesus is the Servant-King. Those posing as citizens who are not learning to serve like he did are imposters. Because he is a the Servant-King we are a kingdom of servants.

The kingdom of God has often been mis-understood and mis-represented. Here are three ways:

1st - The kingdom of God is not about a nation state, a political platform or a set of laws and rules. That’s because God’s kingdom begins from the inside out - it starts with a change in the human heart. So…pray not for laws to be passed but for hearts to be surrendered.

2nd - The kingdom of God is not just about surrendering to Jesus. It’s not just a spiritual agenda. The pursuit of personal piety to the neglect of loving our neighbor… is a sham. The kingdom starts with surrender but ends in service. So pray that hearts surrendered to Jesus will find effective ways to serve others.

3rd, The kingdom of God is not just a social agenda. There’s no kingdom in our lives without a king. There’s no kingdom of God without God. Service and surrender can’t be separated. To ask which is more important, surrender to Jesus or service to others is like asking which wing of an airplane is more important! Only a burning heart and a helping hand will change the world. To see the kingdom at work, don’t look to the stars look to the servants.

Prayers: Local church, other local and regional ministries, missionaries and mission organizations, those under persecution, family and network of relationships. May they all experience more of what only God can do. Can’t pray for everything, every time. “Let my heart break with the things that break the heart of God.” (Bob Pierce) What’s breaking your heart? This may be an indicator of how God wants you to pray. Take time to listen: How does God want me to pray?…how does he want me to participate? Often times, God’s kingdom comes… through us! Sometimes we are the answer to our own prayer. So as part of this prayer, you may want to ask for your own assignment. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.” (St. Francis)