Kingdom Praying Leads to Kingdom Living: Luke 11:2-4
“2) And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘ Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3) Give us each day our daily bread. 4) And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”” Luke 11:2-4
This is the Lords Prayer according to Luke. Most of us are more familiar with the Matthew 6:9-12 version. But for today we are going to focus on the Luke rendition.
He started by praising and exalting the Father. His name was to be lifted up. This acknowledgment and worship of the Father is essential in effectual praying.
Then Jesus turned to the kingdom of God coming. Mathew said; “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We are living in a fallen world ruled by the evil god of this world. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4) The mission of the church is to radically change things on earth at this present time. (Read Ephesians 3:8-12) Few understand this plan for the church. We are to be world changers!
Believers are to pray in the will and rule of God on earth. It starts with the spiritual kingdom gaining ground daily, but culminates with the return of Christ setting up His literal physical kingdom. (Revelation 20)
Praying for our daily bread is acknowledging God as Provider. It includes food, but extends to all physical needs. We need to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is alive and active in every area of our daily lives.
Then Jesus moved to the subject of both being forgiven and forgiving others. Both are needed. This is the only remedy for anger, bitterness and hate. It is essential to gaining and maintaining lasting freedom. It is part of putting off darkness and walking in the light.
Finally, in the Luke version, Jesus tells His disciples to pray that they be delivered from temptation. This is basically asking for Gods grace to overcome the stupidity and emotions of our flesh.
Our flesh has a magnet for sin. We need Gods grace, strength and wisdom to combat sin. This was eventually answered by the giving of the Holy Spirit as our inner compass. The key is crucifying the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Every believer will undergo this battle.
If you review this prayer, it is appealing for the full manifestation of the work of Christ to redeem mankind and His Spirit to transform people. The ultimate goal is the overthrow of the kingdom of darkness and the reign of the kingdom of light. (See Colossians 1:9-15)
These tensions between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light are in full conflict at the current time. This cosmic battle is a reality. (See Ephesians 6:10-20) Prayer is essential to this process.
We are on the verge of a new epoch. In a sense, we are called to pray in the coming of a new age. It is both personal and universal. It starts in every believer. Kingdom praying leads to kingdom living. I am eagerly looking for the soon return of Jesus Christ to set up His earthly kingdom.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder if GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“2) And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘ Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3) Give us each day our daily bread. 4) And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”” Luke 11:2-4
This is the Lords Prayer according to Luke. Most of us are more familiar with the Matthew 6:9-12 version. But for today we are going to focus on the Luke rendition.
He started by praising and exalting the Father. His name was to be lifted up. This acknowledgment and worship of the Father is essential in effectual praying.
Then Jesus turned to the kingdom of God coming. Mathew said; “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We are living in a fallen world ruled by the evil god of this world. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4) The mission of the church is to radically change things on earth at this present time. (Read Ephesians 3:8-12) Few understand this plan for the church. We are to be world changers!
Believers are to pray in the will and rule of God on earth. It starts with the spiritual kingdom gaining ground daily, but culminates with the return of Christ setting up His literal physical kingdom. (Revelation 20)
Praying for our daily bread is acknowledging God as Provider. It includes food, but extends to all physical needs. We need to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is alive and active in every area of our daily lives.
Then Jesus moved to the subject of both being forgiven and forgiving others. Both are needed. This is the only remedy for anger, bitterness and hate. It is essential to gaining and maintaining lasting freedom. It is part of putting off darkness and walking in the light.
Finally, in the Luke version, Jesus tells His disciples to pray that they be delivered from temptation. This is basically asking for Gods grace to overcome the stupidity and emotions of our flesh.
Our flesh has a magnet for sin. We need Gods grace, strength and wisdom to combat sin. This was eventually answered by the giving of the Holy Spirit as our inner compass. The key is crucifying the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Every believer will undergo this battle.
If you review this prayer, it is appealing for the full manifestation of the work of Christ to redeem mankind and His Spirit to transform people. The ultimate goal is the overthrow of the kingdom of darkness and the reign of the kingdom of light. (See Colossians 1:9-15)
These tensions between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light are in full conflict at the current time. This cosmic battle is a reality. (See Ephesians 6:10-20) Prayer is essential to this process.
We are on the verge of a new epoch. In a sense, we are called to pray in the coming of a new age. It is both personal and universal. It starts in every believer. Kingdom praying leads to kingdom living. I am eagerly looking for the soon return of Jesus Christ to set up His earthly kingdom.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder if GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
