Forsaking Self-Centered Prayer - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[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?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Veto!]

Interesting. Will read when I wake up.

Good night and God bless

[mitch5501]

I've put it to the Bible study group that we are seeking first the kingdom of God and not to be concerned with what He chooses to add to us. For He Himself is our treasure and goal. We have a small prayer group and we always ask His Spirit to prompt us in what to pray for. What we mostly end up praying for is for everyone who professes Christ's name to be strengthened and assured of where they ( and we) stand.

He asks us to willingly give Him sovereignty over our will, to be transformed to His image, to fill every waking second of our life in prayer and thanksgiving and to count everything secondary to pleasing Him. The closer we grow to Him the more we want all that!

He is so very very generous in His equipping.

Truly to know Him is to love Him.

May God bless you mightily mm! These posts are gems.