Traditional: Thy Kingdom come.
Contemporary: Your Kingdom come.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” ~ Mark 1:14-15
What is meant by this Petition? Answer. The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.
When is this effected? Answer. When our heavenly Father gives us the Holy Spirit, so that by the Spirit's grace we believe God's holy Word, and live a godly life here on earth, and in heaven forever.
In all the gospels there is the clear message that the Kingdom of God, or the Reign of God, has come in the person of Jesus: that the Kingdom of God is present. Here. Now.
Not just at some point in the future. Not just once we die and go to heaven.
But now. Jesus came and threw open wide the gates to God's kingdom. God's reign begins with Jesus and moves through us.
We are meant to be partners in God's reign. And so the reign of God, the Kingdom of God becomes the KIN-dom of God. We are meant to be "kin" with other who are of this kin-dom.
God's desire is for this: for the reign of God to live within us, and for the reign of God to move through and among us.
For God's desires to become our desires. For those who God loves to become those who we love.
Not just someday. But today.
How can you make that kin-dom live through you today?
A Prayer by Martin Luther: Dearest God and Lord, strengthen and uphold us in your pure, precious Word through Jesus Christ our Lord, and help us to show and live our thanks with our fruits of faith to your praise and thanks forever. Amen.