Episode 60: The Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come. What does this mean?  

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.  

How does God’s kingdom come?   

God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity. 

The Second Petition from the Large Catechism

1. When Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God it speaks of three things: God’s 1. kingdom of power, 2. kingdom of grace, and 3.  kingdom of glory.
   1. Kingdom of power: God’s kingdom by which he rules over all the universe.  “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19 ii.
   1. Kingdom of grace: God’s holy Christian Church on earth. “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” John 3:5
   1. Kingdom of glory: God’s holy Christian Church in heaven.  “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18
      
      
2. For which of these do you pray when you pray, “Thy kingdom come?”
   1. Kingdom of grace and kingdom of glory.
      
      
3. What are you asking when you pray for God’s kingdom of grace?
   1. “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” John 3:5
      “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15
      Acts 2:38-42; Matthew 13:18-23;
      We pray that our Father in heaven would give us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy word and lead godly lives here in time.
      
      
   1. “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38
      I pray that God would send his Holy Spirit to others through the preaching of his Gospel, so that they too would enter God’s Kingdom. 

• What are you asking when you pray for God’s kingdom of glory?
  “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20
  “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20
  “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28
  
  I pray that my Lord Jesus would come quickly, so that I may live a godly life with him in eternity.

Hymn: Our Father, Who from Heaven Above

by Martin Luther

Your kingdom come. Guard Your domain

And Your eternal righteous reign.

The Holy Ghost enrich our day

With gifts attendant on our way.

Break Satan’s pow’r, defeat his rage;

Preserve Your Church from age to age. (LSB 766:3)