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Forsaking Self-Centered Prayer
Grace To You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 03/19/2018 9:27:16 AM PDT by metmom

"Thy kingdom come" (Matt. 6:10).

Relinquish your will to Christ’s sovereign rule.

Attempting to explain all that is involved in the phrase "Thy kingdom come" is like a child standing on a beach attempting to scoop the entire ocean into a little pail. Only in eternity will we grasp all that it encompasses, but the poem "His Coming to Glory" by the nineteenth-century hymnwriter Frances Havergal captures its essence:

Oh the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honor, glory, blessing Brought to Thee with glad accord; Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned; Unto earth's remotest end Glorified, adored, and owned.

Psalm 2:6-8 reflects the Father's joy on that great day: "I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord; He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession." God will give the kingdoms of the world to His Son, who will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).

With that promise in mind, beware seeing prayer primarily as an opportunity to inform God of your own plans and to seek His help in fulfilling them. Instead, pray "Thy kingdom come," which is a request for Christ to reign. In its fullest sense it is an affirmation that you are willing to relinquish the rule of your own life so the Holy Spirit can use you to promote the kingdom in whatever way He chooses.

That kind of prayer can be difficult because we tend to be preoccupied with ourselves. But concentrate on conforming your prayers to God's purposes. Then you will be assured that you are praying according to His will.

Suggestions for Prayer

Praise God for the hope of Christ's future reign on earth. Ask Him to use you today as a representative of His kingdom.

For Further Study

According to Ephesians 4:17-5:5, how should citizens of Christ's kingdom behave?


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 03/19/2018 9:27:16 AM PDT by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; bkaycee; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; dragonblustar; Dutchboy88; ealgeone; ...

Studying God’s Word ping


2 posted on 03/19/2018 9:27:37 AM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: metmom

Good reminder.


3 posted on 03/19/2018 9:51:47 AM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.)
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To: metmom

Prayer doesn’t need to be self-centered. The Almighty knows your wants and needs; He isn’t blind or deaf, and a multitude of voices is no louder than a solitary one. [My worldview]


4 posted on 03/19/2018 10:23:10 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: metmom

My friends all drive Porches I must make amends. no, no, no I didn’t write that. I’m ready for the next life. I pray for my family and friends. I don’t need more stuff. If you have your health the rest is just for show.


5 posted on 03/19/2018 2:24:30 PM PDT by BipolarBob (If you're not hungry for God, you're probably full of yourself.)
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To: BipolarBob
If you have your health the rest is just for show.

You are not kidding!

6 posted on 03/19/2018 3:03:38 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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