8/27/12- Thy Kingdom Come

(Sloan translation 2012) Q. 102 WSC- What do we pray for in the second request of the Lord's Prayer?
A. In the second request, which is your kingdom come, we pray that the kingdom of evil may be destroyed, that the kingdom of grace be advanced, that we and others would be brought into and kept in it, and that this kingdom of glory would come quickly.

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:3-8) 

Thoughts: When God's kingdom comes, Satan's evil kingdom is destroyed.  Darkness flees when light comes in.  Our prayer is for the world to get better and better, but this is not merely a matter of secular evolution- but a continual movement of spreading the gospel and the Holy Spirit opening and working in the hearts of people.  The Shorter Catechism, which was adopted today in 1647 by the English parliament (8/27/1647) does not tell us exactly when or how the kingdom comes.  But it does tell us that we should make Christ king ourselves and do all we can to keep Him king in our hearts, and encourage others to pledge to Him as well.

Prayer: May your kingdom increase O Lord, and may mine decrease- so that my kingdom is enveloped into yours; may people no longer see my glory, buy yours only- for all glory comes from and goes to you.

(Modern Translation 1981) Q. 102. For what do we pray in the second request?
A. In the second request (your kingdom come) we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, that
the kingdom of grace may be advanced, with ourselves and others brought into and kept in it, and
that the kingdom of glory may come quickly.


(WSC 1647) Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be
destroyed;214 and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced,215 ourselves and others brought
into it, and kept in it;216 and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.217