Article by: Bishop B. Voeun
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The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) is composed of seven requests, the first three petitions have to do exclusively with God and the last four are intercessions for God’s help with the needs of His people. We pray “Your kingdom come”, the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that our God of grace has set up for this fallen world.

Scriptures teach us about this kingdom:

• This kingdom has already existed ever since there were humankind who “walked with God” (Genesis 5: 24) and “waited for His salvation” (Genesis 49: 18)
• The kingdom of God was connected with “The Messiah” the anointed one who would come to deliver His people and establish His kingdom
• Jesus Christ made clear that His kingdom was not of this world, however, the expectation of the people of Israel at that time was that He would be a King, a political leader, who would defeat their enemies and bring in a golden era of peace and prosperity

Jesus himself began His teachings by proclaiming “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1: 15). At hand means the time is now, so the kingdom of God has come to mankind in Christ (CNAC Q&A 635) and the Lord is to become more and more perceptible in the congregation (CNAC 12.1.7.2.3).

When we pray the Lord’s prayer, in fact, our daily plea that the kingdom of God may come refers first and foremost to the return of Christ where He will take home His bride. Then He will establish His kingdom of peace on earth where the gospel will be preached to all humankind. After which the kingdom of God will appear in perfect glory and will endure forever.

We wait and prepare for the return of Christ and entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1: 11).