The phrase “Thy kingdom come” is part of the Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6:9-13. In the prayer, Jesus instructs his followers to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. But what exactly does it mean to pray for God’s kingdom to come?
At its most basic level, praying “Thy kingdom come” is praying for the full establishment of God’s reign here on earth. As Christians, we know that God’s kingdom has already been inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of God’s kingdom during his earthly ministry (Mark 1:15). But we also know that God’s kingdom has not yet been fully consummated or completed. While Christ inaugurated the kingdom, the kingdom’s full establishment awaits his second coming. And so when we pray “Thy kingdom come,” we are praying for the day when God’s reign will be complete, when the whole earth will acknowledge Him as Lord.
More specifically, to pray “Thy kingdom come” is to pray for at least four things:
- For the spread of the gospel and the salvation of souls. We long for the day when people from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) will worship Jesus Christ as Lord and King. We pray for missionaries and evangelists, that through them many will come to saving faith in Christ (Romans 10:14-15).
- For the sanctification of believers. God’s kingdom advances not only through the conversion of nonbelievers, but through the spiritual growth and transformation of Christians. As we grow in Christlikeness, we manifest the reign of God in our character and conduct (Matthew 5:16). Praying “Thy kingdom come” means desiring the increasing holiness of God’s people.
- For the defeat of Satan and the powers of evil. Wherever God’s kingdom advances, Satan’s kingdom retreats. While the devil still exercises some power and influence in this age (1 John 5:19), his defeat was secured through the cross. We long for the day when Satan and his forces will be permanently vanquished and rendered powerless (Revelation 20:10).
- For the return of Christ and the new creation. Ultimately, we cannot separate praying “Thy kingdom come” from longing for the return of Jesus to fully establish His kingdom on earth. While we labor to advance God’s kingdom now, we eagerly await the day when creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to corruption into the freedom of the glory of God’s children (Romans 8:21). Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Praying “Thy kingdom come,” then, fuels and shapes our mission in this age. Even as we pray it, we seek to live it out as faithful witnesses to King Jesus, desiring to align every sphere of our lives—from our families to our workplaces—to the ethics and values of His kingdom. We proclaim the gospel, we grow in holiness, we stand against the powers of darkness, and we long for Christ’s return, all while seeking first God’s kingdom in our lives right now (Matthew 6:33).
At the same time, praying “Thy kingdom come” leaves us dependent on the sovereign grace of God. We cannot usher in God’s kingdom through our own efforts. The full coming of His kingdom remains in God’s hands. Our role is simply to pray and to live in readiness for the day we hear the trumpet sound, signaling that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
Here are some key verses that shed more light on the meaning of “Thy kingdom come”:
- Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Part of the Lord’s Prayer, showing we pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth.
- Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Jesus proclaimed the arrival of God’s kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 – “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” Reminds us we pray and wait for the full end-time defeat of evil.
- 2 Peter 3:12-13 – “Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Waiting for the new creation is part of praying for God’s kingdom.
- Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” The ultimate consummation of God’s kingdom.
In summary, praying “Thy kingdom come” means passionately desiring and seeking after the full establishment of God’s reign in all the earth. As we pray and work for the gospel, sanctification, deliverance from evil, and the new creation, we prepare ourselves and others for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the supreme King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Some key points about what it means to pray “Thy kingdom come” include:
- It is a prayer for the full establishment of God’s reign on earth.
- It’s a prayer to see people saved through the spread of the gospel.
- It’s a request for the spiritual growth and sanctification of Christians.
- It’s asking for the defeat of Satan and evil powers.
- Ultimately, it’s praying for the return of Christ and the new creation.
- It’s aligning our lives with kingdom priorities and values now in anticipation of Christ’s return.
- It leaves us dependent on God’s sovereign grace to usher in His kingdom.
In praying “Thy kingdom come,” we’re praying for God’s kingdom purposes to be fulfilled completely, finally, and forever. While we live in the tension of the “already” and the “not yet” of God’s kingdom, we pray expectantly and labor faithfully until the climactic establishment of Christ’s kingdom at his second coming. Through preaching the gospel, living holy lives, defeating evil, and longing for eternity, we actively pray and prepare for the glorious return and reign of the King of Kings.
Some common questions people have about praying “Thy kingdom come” include:
Isn’t God’s kingdom already here because Jesus inaugurated it?
Yes, Scripture teaches that Jesus inaugurated the kingdom during his first coming. When we pray “Thy kingdom come,” we’re not doubting that God’s kingdom has arrived in part. Rather, we’re praying for the full manifestation of the kingdom that will occur when Christ returns.
How does praying “Thy kingdom come” relate to evangelism and missions?
Praying for God’s kingdom motivates us to share the gospel at home and abroad. We long to see people from all nations repenting and submitting to Christ’s lordship. Missions and evangelism are key ways we actively seek to advance God’s kingdom prior to Christ’s return.
If God is sovereign, why should we pray “Thy kingdom come”?
Our prayers don’t compel God to act against His sovereign will. Rather, God ordains our prayers as a means to bring about His plans. Just as a farmer must plant and water seeds for a harvest, our prayers and labor contribute to the coming of God’s kingdom.
How should praying “Thy kingdom come” affect how we live each day?
This prayer instills kingdom priorities in us. We live not primarily for comfort, success or worldly gain, but for the eternal advancement of Christ’s kingdom. Every sphere of life, whether family, work, leisure, becomes an arena for serving King Jesus until He returns.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in seeing God’s kingdom come?
The Spirit convicts people of sin and enables them to repent and receive Christ. He grows believers in holiness and empowers the proclamation of the gospel. The Spirit’s work in hearts is essential for establishing God’s kingdom on earth until Christ returns.
Praying “Thy kingdom come” means engaging in the world as ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom. Through Spirit-enabled obedience to the King, we strive to spread the gospel, grow in holiness, stand against evil, and anticipate eternity. This daily life of allegiance to King Jesus provides a foretaste of the kingdom that will one day arrive in fullness when He returns.
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