Matthew 6:9-13, Verse 10
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last meditation we began a deep dive into the prayer Jesus taught his followers to pray. Today we’ll focus on the second portion of the prayer, but before we begin, pray Matthew 9:9-13 slowly and thoughtfully.
Now focus in on this part of Jesus’ prayer: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
The state of being in God’s Kingdom is shalom. As we’ve considered previously, shalom is God’s original intent for people and the world. It is peace, righteousness, and justice in every aspect of life for everyone equally. In God’s original dream for the world, human beings reflect God by caring for each other and bringing order to the wildness of creation together according to God’s good rule and way.
Stop to contemplate what it would look like for God’s Kingdom to come to your corner of the world. As thoughts come to mind turn them into prayers.
Return your attention to the second part of Jesus’ prayer praying it several times slowly: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
When God came to live among humans in Jesus, the Kingdom of God broke into our present age, but the Kingdom of God will not be fully realized until Jesus comes again. Until then, we see glimpses of the Kingdom as we follow Jesus and live in the power of his Holy Spirit.
As followers of Jesus and image bearers of God, our mission is the mission of Jesus – to restore all things to the way God intended. As we scatter seeds of shalom to the people and places around us, we participate in bringing God’s Kingdom to earth, so when we pray, “May your Kingdom come soon…” we are, in part, committing ourselves to spread shalom as agents and ambassadors of Jesus.
Once more, pray this part of Jesus’ prayer: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Then get quiet and listen to Jesus.
What do you sense Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do in response?
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