The second petition of the Lord's Prayer is “Your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10). A kingdom refers to the places and people ruled by a king. This petition doesn’t say, “My kingdom come” or “America’s kingdom come” or “Japan’s kingdom come.” In the second petition, we're praying that God's kingdom would come. We’re asking God to spread his rule to more and more people and in more and more places across the globe.

God's heavenly kingdom is quite different from the countries and kingdoms of earth. It doesn't spread by sending its armies to conquer its neighbors with swords and guns. Before Jesus left for heaven, he gave his disciples an order. We call this command the “Great Commission.” And it tells us exactly what King Jesus wants us to do in order to grow God’s kingdom on earth.

Matthew 28:19-20 tells us the words Jesus spoke to his followers: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus didn’t send out his disciples to conquer the nations of the earth using weapons of war. Instead, he armed them with the good news of the gospel and said, “Go!” God's kingdom spreads when the good news of Jesus is preached to people who’ve never heard in places it’s never been. And it grows one soul at a time when that good news is believed by the sinners who hear it!

Just to refresh your memory, we can read the quick version of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… he was buried… he was raised on the third day…” When a law-breaking sinner repents of their sin and believes the good news, God’s kingdom grows! That sinner is forgiven, justified, adopted, and made a citizen of God’s forever kingdom.

When you pray, “Your kingdom come,” understand that you're asking for God's kingdom to grow as the good news of Jesus is preached and believed by those around us and all over the world. Using the second petition like a checklist, you can pray for those who don't believe in Jesus, asking God to help them believe and join his kingdom. You can also pray that God would help you and other Christians to share the good news with those who still need to hear it. If you belong to a church that supports missionaries around the world, this would be a great time to pray for them!

Matt. 28:19, 20; John 17:20, 21; Acts 8:12; 28:30, 31; 2 Thes. 3:1