How to Pray the Lord’s Way: ‘For Yours is the Kingdom, Power and Glory’
By Rob Jacobs
In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught us how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer is comprehensive in how it speaks to all different areas of life, but I also love its simplicity. It's very straightforward, easy to understand and to the point. It’s not necessary to have a Ph.D. to talk to God. You don't have to pray eloquent prayers with lofty language to get God's attention. He's totally cool with short and sincere prayers that you sprinkle in throughout the day.
The Lord’s Prayer is a good model for us, but it's not just intended to be repeated verbatim. It's a model for us to expand upon as we speak our hearts and our language to the Father. There are six petitions in the Lord’s Prayer. Three are directed to God. Three are directed to us. We start with God—we always should in our prayer life—and then we eventually get to our needs. In this blog post, we will take a look at the final climactic statement in the Lord’s Prayer: “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” The descriptive language provided by the King Himself in this last sentence of the Lord’s Prayer is fitting, regal and royal. Let’s take a look at three simple ways that will help relate these powerful words to our everyday lives.
1. Be cognizant of God's kingdom.
Another way to say this is to be aware of God's kingdom that is at work around you. Scripture tells us that there are two kingdoms: God's kingdom and the kingdom of this world. And sometimes we need to be reminded of who's in control of these kingdoms. God is in control, and history—His story—is unfolding right before our eyes.
1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” So with that in mind, we also know that all things come from God. This is reflected all throughout the Bible. You can start at the very first page of Genesis 1—"In the beginning, God … ” Then go over to Colossians 1: “In him, we live and move and have our being.” Psalm 24 says: “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.” Then in James: “Every good and perfect gift comes from above all things come from him.”
He is in control of all things and regardless of how crazy and messed up this world around us is, or will continue to be, that's never going to change. And it's good for us to remember that we have these two opposing and battling kingdoms, and the battle is being waged for you and for the souls of those around you. It's a war. That's why it's called spiritual warfare. It’s real, and we need to be aware of it.
2. Be reverent of God’s power.
Be aware of the kingdom and respect the power. The power of God is reflected all through the Lord’s Prayer. If you go back and retrace it, for example, “your kingdom come” is because of God's power. “Give us our daily bread” happens because God is the one who has the power to provide miraculously or even to just sustain you and give you three meals today. “Forgive us and help us to forgive others”: How's that possible? Because it's God who has the power to make our hard hearts gentle. “Deliver us from evil”: How's that happen? Because God has the power to bring every petition we have before him to come to pass.
When's the last time that you have seen God's power in your life? F.B. Meyer said it so brilliantly: “The millionaire says: ‘Mine is the power of money;’ the orator, ‘mine is the power of moving crowds by speech;’ the author, ‘mine is the power of written words and songs;’ the scientist claims, ‘mine is the power of extracting the secrets of nature.’ But after a time, wealth vanishes, the tongue is paralyzed, the mind decays, and so we learn that we have no inherent power.”
Nothing in this world is so disappointing as the boast of power. We find ourselves able to do so little, and the things which we think are so big, don't last. But it is a great thing when a man realizes that power belongs to God. I've been reading the Psalms this past month. And, and in just that one book of the Bible are a number of references to the might and the power and the strength of our God. Take a look:
Psalm 19:4
Psalm 25:14
Psalm 33:18
Psalm 34:9
Psalm 45:6
Psalm 64:9
Psalm 66:3-4
Psalm 68:28
Psalm 75:3
This is certainly not a comprehensive list, but these verses from the Word of God clearly illustrate God’s power and might. Let’s remember God’s great works in our lives, and be aware of the kingdom, be respectful of His power, and live for His glory.
3. Be living for God’s glory.
I've heard it said, if you seek your own glory, you'll lose. But if you seek God's glory, you'll get yours. Our purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That's why we're here. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We choose every day whether to live for our glory or the glory of another. We can be the centerpiece of our own tiny, little story. Or, we can be a small part of God's great and glorious and grand story. So when you're complimented for your character or how godly you are or how kind or sweet you are, you should say, “Glory to God.” If you have written a book, painted a picture, or someone has asked for your autograph, you should say, “Glory to God.” If the angels in heaven stand before God and praise him night and day—angels who excel in strength and are hearkening to the voice of God and continually crying out glory to God in the highest—then why wouldn't that be our motto?
If you haven't seen or experienced God's kingdom, His power, His glory in your life, then here are two quick things that may help jumpstart that connection again. First, take a look around you at God's creation. Psalm 97 says, “The Lord reigns. Clouds and thick darkness surround him. Fire goes before him. Lightning lights up the sky. The mountains melt like wax. The heavens proclaim his righteousness and all the people see his glory.”
Sometimes in the busyness of our lives, we just need to get away and enjoy the beautiful creation of our God. We've got a lot of it around here in the Lowcountry. But listen, we just don't love God because of what he's done for us. We love him for who he is, and that he's beautiful. And sometimes if you just simply take the time to get away and reflect on Him, You'll recognize and remember why you fell in love with Him in the first place. Second, remember God's miracles and faithfulness. God’s faithfulness has often sustained people during tough times, reminding them that He's trustworthy. Whether you're feeling it or not, count your blessings and celebrate the goodness and the faithfulness of God. When we do that, we realign our hearts with His kingdom and His power and His glory
Rob Jacobs is an area representative for the South Coastal Fellowship of Christian Athletes.