After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
Commonly misreferenced as the Lord’s Prayer, here are two verses of the example Jesus gives in direct response to His disciple’s request, “Teach us to pray,” in Luke 11:1. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Why is it, the name that is so hallowed, we toss like cheap confetti at a parade using it in all kinds of perverse talkings? Is it any wonder our prayers go unanswered?
Speaking of unanswered prayers, let us consider a couple of words in verse ten, “kingdom” and “in.” Jesus clearly states “in” earth not “on” earth, two completely different meanings. Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” What treasure is that? The first word I mentioned earlier in the reading, “KINGDOM,” a word commonly overlooked coming from “King-Dom” or “King’s Dominion”.
Our example of what should be in us is what is in heaven. Christ never instructed us to allow the world around us to change us, propel us, promote us, or develop us. Quite the contrary. Christ declared in this scripture, what is “in” heaven should be active in us.
The king’s dominion or heavenly dominion should be coming forth from inside of me. My motivation should not be who is or isn’t in office. Of course we are concerned with all of this, but true change comes from within not without. So, can I ask you to slow down this week and consider the true example Christ not only prayed but lived out?
1 Corinthians 15:19 states, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Our hope and change is not around us, but in us.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize the treasure you house within you, the dominion of the King.
