Sometimes familiarity is bad for us. We rattle off the Lord’s Prayer because we know it so well. We barely take time to think about what we’re saying.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:10)

What does it mean, Thy kingdom come? Jesus often commented that the kingdom of God has come near. What does that mean?

Thy kingdom come.

The kingdom of God is not a place really, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a way to live. He gave the Lord’s Prayer after giving the Beatitudes. He described how to live in humility, peace, and righteousness. Forgive everyone. Bless those who persecute you. Go the extra mile.

It’s a lifestyle of caring, giving, and selflessness, so opposite of our natural inclinations. Not only does our sinful nature get in the way, the evil one works against us as well. The kingdom becomes a difficult place to live if we try to do it on our own.

But that’s the thing. We can’t do it on our own. We can only live in the kingdom after we’ve received salvation through Christ. Only then do we get the presence of God in us to live as we are called to live. Only then can we have Thy kingdom come.