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A Prayer about Waiting for the Kingdom of God

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about Waiting for the Kingdom of God

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look here it is!’ Or ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” Luke 17:20-21

Christ our King,

We confess, 

even as we pray daily, “Thy kingdom come,” 

we can be misled by people 

who tell us we will see flashy signs 

that the day of your return is near. 

You yourself told the Pharisees 

and the disciples 

that we wouldn’t be able to predict 

the coming of your kingdom, 

to know exactly the day or the time. 

You also said that it is already here, 

and indeed, since your first coming to earth, 

the kingdom of God has come near. 

You also instructed your disciples 

to be ready for the day you will come again 

in all of your glory 

to reign over your restored earth 

with all who trust in you. 

What should we do? 

We should be ready. 

What makes us ready? 

Very simply, 

trusting you, 

waiting on you, 

seeking the things of your kingdom. 

Very simply, 

praying for and sharing your love 

with those who refuse to bow before you, 

desiring no one to be eternally separated from you 

because of their rebellion. 

By your grace, draw us near

to your throne of grace daily 

to gain the mercy and grace 

we need 

to wait well for your glorious kingdom.

In your ruling name. Amen.  

Read Luke 17:20-37.

A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

by | Jun 3, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…Ephesians 4:15

Trustworthy and True Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about 

your trustworthy, true nature.

Today, we ask that you would, 

by your Spirit, so unite us to yourself, 

that we become like you.

We want to be trustworthy and true people, 

dependable and honest. 

We want to be people who show up 

when we say we’ll be there. 

We want to be people 

who give advice 

infused with prayer and your wisdom. 

We want to be people who allow others

to rest and relax

because they feel safe and comfortable in our presence. 

In this world of uncertainty and unpredictability, 

make us carriers of your trustworthy and true nature. 

In your faithful name. Amen.

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24. 

A Prayer about the God Who Rules Everything

by | Feb 28, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the God Who Rules Everything

Sovereign Lord,

We don’t use the word “sovereign” 

often in everyday American life. 

Sometimes we forget 

what it means—you rule!

Sometimes we forget that you are a good king, 

an all-knowing, all-loving, all-seeing king. 

Such a King can be trusted. 

You are no dark warlord 

ruling over your people with cruel force, 

but a kind Father who cares compassionately 

for your children (Matthew 10:29-31). 

You preserve and protect those in your care, 

and your will is for our good and for your glory. 

Your rulership is reason to rejoice and praise. 

Because we can trust in you, 

we need not be afraid. 

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 10:29-31; Psalm 93:5; Psalm 97.

A Prayer about the Temptation to Live by Sight

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the Temptation to Live by Sight

Lord Jesus,

In our study of your temptation in the wilderness, 

we see how Satan tried the same things with you 

he tries with us. 

This time he encouraged you to test God, 

to demand a sign from God. 

Oh, Lord, do we ever do this? 

Do we ever want to live by sight rather than living by faith? 

We do. We are often tempted 

to base our beliefs about you 

on our experience or our feelings 

rather than on what your Word asserts is true. 

It’s easy to do when we get isolated, 

so we pray that we will stay firmly planted 

in our churches and Christian community. 

We pray that we will stay close to you, 

for “we do not have a great high priest 

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, 

yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). 

Thank you, Lord, for enduring the cross for us, 

that we might live in obedience 

to your perfect and glorious will.

Amen.

Read Luke 4:9-13.

A Prayer about the Temptation to Rule the World

by | Feb 23, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living

A Prayer about the Temptation to Rule the World

Faithful Jesus,

As we continue studying your wilderness temptations, 

we see something we often forget: 

Satan, is, in one sense, the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31), 

and yet, of course, he is also, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). 

Satan shows you all the kingdoms of the world 

and says you can have them if you will only worship him. 

May we never forget, as you certainly never forgot, 

whatever authority Satan has in this world 

was given him by God, 

and ultimately God’s power trumps Satan’s. 

It is Satan’s very power you came to defeat. 

It is your heavenly Father’s will 

you came to do. 

Help us to see the single-mindedness of your purpose; 

help us to live that same single-mindedness 

when Satan tempts us to rule over our own lives: 

“You shall worship the Lord your God, 

and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:7).

In your ruling name. Amen.

Read Luke 4:5-8.

A Prayer about Praying for the Kingdom to Come

by | Feb 17, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Prayer

A Prayer about Praying for the Kingdom to Come

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for ever mumbling this prayer by rote, 

not really thinking about what we are asking for.

The fact is, this is a radical prayer. 

It is a prayer you invite us to pray daily. 

It is a prayer for when a marriage falls apart, 

for when a global pandemic destroys our business, 

for when a house is under water after a flood. 

When we pray this prayer, 

we remember whose kingdom we’re seeking—yours. 

You are a God characterized by “holy stubbornness,” 

a “refusal to accept ruin.”* 

You are the God who repaired broken creation 

by becoming man and dying on a cross. 

Your kingdom is characterized by shalom, 

universal flourishing, “heavenly wholeness.”*

Your kingdom is the kingdom 

that opposes the kingdom of darkness. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to ask Jesus to defeat the destroyer’s efforts today. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to repent of our tendencies 

to create small kingdoms by placing ourselves, 

our loved ones, our work, our homes, 

or any other thing we see as ours, 

on the throne of our lives. 

Indeed, Lord, your kingdom come.

In Jesus’ coming name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6:7-15.

*Quotes from Nathan Bierma’s great book, Bringing Heaven down to Earth