The Lord’s Prayer: Reflection II

The Lord’s Prayer with Emphasis Placed on

“Your kingdom come (on earth as it is in heaven).”

This second reflection on the Lord’s Prayer helps us better understand the Father’s present and emerging kingdom for which we pray.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. – Let your kingdom, Father, break forth upon this earth through your comfort, righteousness, mercy, purity, and grace, so all may know how great you are and how great is your name.

Your will be done, (on earth as it is in heaven). – Let each citizen of your kingdom follow you in the same way that the citizens of your heavenly kingdom do by living sanctified, righteous, and holy lives, always seeking and following your guidance as we love and help others. Let our lives, as citizens of your kingdom following your will, entice others to follow you and become citizens of your kingdom — your children, and co-heirs with Jesus of your creation.

Give us this day our daily bread, – Let your kingdom, Father, provide for every need of the citizens of your earthly kingdom through divine intervention and the wise use of the resources you have given us through creation and providence. Grant the citizens of your kingdom the courage to act on your behalf and meet the needs of any and all who are less fortunate than us.

And forgive us our debts, – Father, let the forgiveness of your kingdom in heaven be poured out on all who repent and seek your forgiveness on earth.

As we also have forgiven our debtors. – Grant the citizens of your earthly kingdom the love and courage required to forgive any and all who have offended us.

And lead us not into temptation, – Let your earthly kingdom, Father, protect us from the wiles of the devil. Keep us within the walls of your holiness and righteousness so we might not stray into areas riddled with temptation.

But deliver us from evil. – Let your earthly kingdom, Father, protect your citizens from every sort of evil found on earth, lurking in our own hearts, or brought to us through the power of the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. – We thank you, Father, that citizens of your earthly kingdom will inherit your eternally powerful and glorious heavenly kingdom.