Matthew 6:8-13  The Common English Bible translates this prayer like this:

  "Our Father who is in heaven, 

uphold the holiness of your name. 

Bring in your kingdom

so that your will is done on earth as it's done in heaven.

Give us the bread we need for today.

Forgive us for the ways we have wronged You,

just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.

And don't lead us into temptation, 

but rescue us from the evil one." 

As I wrote last week, we are addressing the Holy One Who sits on the throne, high above the heavens, in absolute glory and exaltation.  We are coming to the One Who created us and Who holds our every breath in His hands.  Jesus tells us that the "Father knows what [we] need."  We don't need to pray repetitious incantations... we do need to come to Him in humble worship and in faith and truth. 

Jesus tells us to ask God to "uphold the holiness of [His] name. "  What an important request!  Our world is becoming more and more irreverent. The sinful and rebellious human race seems to no longer have any respect for God's Name, for they do not know Him.  Darkness is trying to cover the earth.  The behaviors that at one time were hidden and done only in the darkness are now being flaunted in the streets of our cities and all over the airways.  You can no longer walk down a street or in a store without encountering pictures that were once considered lewd and disgraceful.  There is no concept of "holiness".. for nothing is considered sacred anymore..  Romans 1:21 is being fulfilled before our eyes, "  For even though they knew God, they  did not honor Him as God, or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."  We must pray earnestly that God will" uphold the holiness of His name, "  for without this true understanding of Who He is, we will only see the world become more and more depraved.. "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do those things which are not proper... worthy of death."  ( Romans 1:28-32)

Jesus tells us to pray that the kingdom will come and that the Father's will be done.  The kingdom- the powerful, sovereign realm and reign of God.  Psalm 145 is one of my favorites. The psalmist writes this about God's kingdom.. " They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men Thy mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of Thy kingdom.  Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations." ( v11-13) 

"The kingdom of heaven is at hand.."  Jesus told the crowds.  Later on He told the Pharisees.... "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you." ( Matt. 12:28) 

In Mark 9:1 Jesus told His disciples, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."  Many times Jesus used parables to describe what the kingdom of God is like.  He told His disciples that they were being allowed "to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God..", but others would not see or understand.  Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world. 

 Can we say that when we pray for God's kingdom to come, we are praying for the power and glory of God to rule?  We are praying for the perfect will of God to happen.  We are praying for the wonders and glory and majesty that are constant and perfect in heaven.. would be done right here and right now - in our lives, in our families, in our churches.. in our world! We are praying for the Kingdom of the Beloved Son to overpower the dominion of darkness! 

This is a powerful prayer when we really begin to  pray what Jesus means us to pray!  But, we cannot merely recite it.. we must understand and embrace it fully.  

Father, Almighty and All wise God, we ask that You would help us to pray like this. Amen.