Thy Kingdom Come: The Second Petition

The second petition of the Lord’s Prayer is Thy Kingdom Come. In this petition we acknowledge all mankind to be under the dominion of sin and Satan, and we pray that the kingdom of Satan may be overthrown. We also pray that the gospel may go forth; that God will call the fullness of his elect from all peoples especially from the Jews; that the church may be built up, purified and protected. The petition that the Lord’s Kingdom would come includes both the acknowledgement that Christ rules now as well as the desire that he come to manifest his eternal kingdom.

The Lord’s kingdom encompasses the reign of Christ in the hearts of his people extending to all things; however, the coming kingdom is not simply a Christianization of the world but rather Christ exercising his authority over all matters. Jesus taught that his kingdom was primarily a spiritual kingdom rather than a temporal earthly kingdom; it is described in scripture simultaneously as both already here now and having not yet come to pass. In praying for the coming kingdom, we do look for the final coming of the Lord, yet we are primarily to pray for those works that Christ is doing now among his people. Among these works of the Lord are the gospel; the calling of the elect; and the ruling, purity, protection and work of the church.