Surrender: His Kingdom; His Will

Learning To Pray Like Jesus

Surrender: His Kingdom; His Will

Matthew 6:9-13

The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God.  It is wherever Jesus Christ is properly recognized and responded to as the rightful King.

God’s Kingdom Comes To Earth In 3 Ways

1. The Conversion Of Unbelievers

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:14–15)

2. The Commitment Of Believers

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

3. The Commencement Of Christ’s Earthly Reign

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

The kingdom of God has been Inaugurated but not yet fully Consummated

In the meantime, we carry out the commission to make Disciples of the king

This is a militant, Missionary prayer

3 Aspects Of God’s Will

1. God’s Comprehensive Will

“The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,” (Isaiah 14:24)

2. God’s Compassionate Will

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

3. God’s Commanding Will

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,” (Romans 6:17)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  (Philippians 2:12–13)

“In heaven God’s will is done, and the Master teaches the child to ask that His will may be done on earth just as in heaven: in the spirit of adoring submission and ready obedience…where faith has accepted the Father’s love, obedience accepts the Father’s will.”  Andrew Murray

It is only when we trust the Father’s Heart that we will joyfully and completely do the Father’s Will

When we pray for God’s will to be done, we are praying for two things:

1. For Active obedience—that we may do God's will actively in what he commands

2. For Passive obedience—that we may submit to God's will patiently, in whatever he inflicts

“If we can’t say “thy will be done” from the bottom of our hearts, we will never know any peace. We will feel compelled to try to control people and control our environment and make things the way we believe they ought to be. Yet to control life like this is beyond our abilities, and we will just dash ourselves upon the rocks. This is why Calvin adds that to pray “thy will be done” is to submit not only our wills to God but even our feelings, so that we do not become despondent, bitter, and hardened by the things that befall us.” Tim Keller

Jesus teaches us to pray “Thy Will” before “Give Us” to remind us that the purpose of prayer is not primarily to bend God’s will to meet our wants and needs, but to Shape our will to be conformed to God’s will.

When you doubt the Father’s love, look to the Cross

When you doubt the Father’s power, look to the Empty Tomb

Making It Personal:

• How will I make spending time in prayer a priority for my life in this New Year?

• What new perspective did I gain about what it means to pray for God’s Kingdom and God’s will from today’s teaching?

• How can I apply today’s teaching to my personal prayer life?

• Focus on prayer as we begin a New Year by working through the book, “Prayer With No Intermission”.

• Who can I share these truths with?