Your Kingdom Come

      “May your Kingdom come soon.
      May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
      Matthew 6:10 NLT

How many times have we prayed the Lord’s prayer?  When I pray these lines, inviting the Lord to come soon, and his will to be done here as it is in Heaven, I recognize that God’s will is perfect and always best for us.  I also know that only God can cause Heaven’s will to be done on earth. Pondering that truth, have you ever wondered then, why does Jesus tell us to pray for these things?
 
I wonder is there any link between these lines of Scripture in Matthew 6 and Matthew 16:19 where Jesus tells Peter, “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid (bind, lock) on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit (loose, open) on earth will be permitted in heaven.”? Many scholars believe Jesus is declaring the authority of true believers like Peter to call down the things of Heaven to earth, releasing God’s will on earth.  Inferred in the releasing of God’s will is that we also now have authority to bind, forbid and stop the powers of darkness, the devil and his demons from distracting, deceiving and destroying God’s people, preventing us from doing the work assigned to us.

Is that what Jesus referred to in John 14:12-14?  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”  We know Jesus prayed.  Is the work, he referred to, include our prayers?

Maybe we should stop every time we are tempted to feel defeated or helpless and think, “All I can do is pray.”  Maybe, instead, we should pray, “Thank you, Lord, for giving me authority to pray in this situation. You will answer my prayers because you love me and you desire for your perfect will to be done so the Father is glorified.” 

Dear friends, may you accept the truth that you are loved, chosen and given spiritual authority by Father God so you can do the good things he planned for you long ago. (Eph.2:10) May you grow more and more in your knowledge and love of the Father and his marvelous ways.  Rejoice in being his new creation given the power of prayer!  Amen. 

Mary Sumner ~ June 26, 2025