THE KINGDOM PROTOCOL

Thy kingdom come. Matthew 6:10

The kingdom of God is referenced seventy times in the New Testament. It is a dominant theme of Scripture. Praying for God’s kingdom to come, as Jesus instructed in the model prayer (see Matt. 6:10), recognizes a past kingdom and anticipates a future kingdom—and it accentuates a present kingdom. In the past, Israel was a theocracy, ruled by God, and in the future, Christ will set up His kingdom. But in our prayers here and now, we focus on the present kingdom. Why? Because God has “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13). This is our present reality.

The Pharisees pressed Jesus to tell them when the kingdom of God would come (see Luke 17:20). They wanted Christ to overthrow their Roman rulers and set up the millennial kingdom. Jesus told them that the kingdom of God was already in their midst. They wanted immediate political dominance, but the government that Christ was about to implement was internal. He told them, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Jesus inaugurated an invisible kingdom within the hearts of men. Yes, there is a kingdom yet to come, but the unseen kingdom Christ spoke of is not recognized by the United Nations. It is not geographical but spiritual. It is not nationalistic but comprised of believers from every nation and tribe. It has no military but has the omnipotent One at its helm. Our prayer is that Christ’s kingdom will be foremost in our hearts (see Matt. 6:33).

Every kingdom has a king, and every king has subjects. All kingdom subjects abide by the laws of their king. We live today in a watered-down religious culture in which Christ’s kingship is downplayed. Recreational religion is more about relevance than reverence. Contemporary Christians think of Christ more often as a Savior than as a ruler. But the kingdom of God owns Jesus as its rightful king. Jesus came as a Lamb, but now He is our one and only true king.

Kingdom living means moment-by-moment submission to the King of glory. We cannot be under the rulership of Christ while determining our own agendas and governing our own affairs. A crucified life means that self is no longer the epicenter of our existence. Living for Christ simply means yielding ourselves and our members to Christ’s indwelling Spirit on a continual basis. When Jesus occupies the throne of our hearts, He is in command of our thinking, choosing, and feelings. To pray “thy kingdom come” is an invitation for Jesus to take the throne of our hearts. This is possible because Christ not only died for us, but He also died as us.

When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are praying for Satan’s kingdom to be demolished. This is bold praying, but when Christ is actively in charge of our lives, He always leads us in victory. Most churches have a strong theology of depravity but a weak theology of victory. Our “old man” was crucified with Christ (see Rom. 6:6). Mark it down: the old you was crucified. The brand-new you is the result of the divine nature that was implanted in you when you were born again (see 2 Pet. 1:4). We are new creations in Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:17); we have new spiritual fingerprints. The Christ who redeemed us now resides inside us. This is why David said that as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our hearts (see Ps. 37:4). A Spirit-filled person has the same desires as God. Our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection is a spiritual reality; thus we can navigate the will of God by following God’s Word and listening to our sanctified desires. Yes, we must contend with the flesh, the world, and the devil, but we are more than conquerors through Christ (see Rom. 8:37), and we can pray boldly for God’s kingdom to come.

The kingdom of God has appointed every blood-bought believer as its representative. Earthly ambassadors represent and promote the interests of their nations to foreign governments and people, but kingdom citizens represent King Jesus to the unsaved: “We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). As Christ’s representatives, we plead for rebellious sinners to be reconciled to God. We stand in God’s stead as representatives of heaven.

Passion for God energizes us to pray for His kingdom to come. Kingdom people go all out for God’s fame, God’s name, and God’s acclaim. This is not some sort of distant hope or utopian dream; God’s kingdom is a present reality. The internal motivation that cries “Your kingdom come” originates from deep within grateful hearts. Kingdom-minded saints take tremendous joy in their King. The song of their hearts is “Worthy is the Lamb.” When our great love for God motivates us to pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are praying that God will revive His church and capture the hearts of men and women for His glory.

The King came two thousand years ago. The King will come again physically in the future. But the King is also here now in the hearts of all who believe. There will be a new world order, but we can enjoy kingdom living in the here and now! What does the kingdom look like? Paul said, “The kingdom of God is . . . righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17).

Adam Clarke noted, “He prays not at all, in whose prayers there is no mention of the kingdom of God.”¹ We should pray every day, “Thy kingdom come.”

Reflection

Praying “thy kingdom come” recognizes a past kingdom and anticipates a future kingdom, and it also accentuates a present kingdom.
“The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are praying for Satan’s kingdom to be demolished.
Adam Clarke noted, “He prays not at all, in whose prayers there is no mention of the kingdom of God.”

Application

Pray this now: “Thy kingdom come.” Invite Jesus to take the throne of your heart this very moment.
“We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). You don’t have to witness; you get to witness! How many people have you witnessed to in the last two weeks? Think this over and pray about your ambassadorship for Christ in this world.
Passion for God energizes us to pray for His kingdom to come in power. Kingdom people go all out for God’s fame, God’s name, and God’s acclaim. Cry out to God for a mighty revival that will capture the hearts of men and women for His name with His fame.
Live in the reality that we are in the kingdom and that the King is in us!

Written by Harold Vaughan.