day 88b: on earth as it is in heaven

I return to Matthew and ponder on the Lord’s Prayer (rather, the prayer Jesus taught the disciples to pray). I quote the whole prayer as follows:
Matthew 6:9-13 (New King James Version)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Previously I only touched on the cancellation of debts. Lately I thought of the word ‘kingdom’. Jesus came and preached that the kingdom of heaven was near. He has preached a whole series of kingdom living prior to teaching this prayer. He is showing us how the kingdom of heaven is like and how different it would be from the natural worldly political kingdom built by men.

This prayer is not just an ordinary prayer. I cannot simply discount it as a simple prayer for a beginner Christian to practice praying. The prayer gives a glimpse of how the kingdom of heaven should be lived on earth: daily worshipping and honoring God (just as what we will be doing in heaven), living in His will (reflecting the reality of heaven), living on heavenly manna (the words of God), putting relationship and reconciliation with God and with men priority over possessions and entitlement, overcoming the old self and the devil by the grace of God, and giving glory to God only.

To carry out the prayer contents daily faithfully requires the presence of the Holy Spirit. We can only worship in spirit and in truth. We need Him to teach our spirit how to worship. We also need Him to guide us as we read the words of God. We need the conviction of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live out the will of God. We need Him to strengthen us and fill us with God’s love so that we may forgive one another. We need the Holy Spirit to reveal to us visions of the greatness and glory of God.

Saying this prayer means you are prepared to live it. Living this prayer requires the presence and filling of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the prayer means nothing. It would not work any miracles if you merely recite it like a robot does. It would mean you do not really believe in it and in reciting mechanically you are insulting Jesus (the author of the prayer). Unbelief cancels out any faith you may have. Without faith one cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

My application: mean what I pray for or otherwise not pray. Learn to practice the contents of this prayer daily by the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

AAA Jack 2009-5-29