“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

God already has an everlasting kingdom (Psa 145:13). So, why is Jesus teaching His disciples to pray for His kingdom to come?

Currently, Satan is allowed to prowl and prey here (1 Pet 5:8-9). Though he presently wields a daunting global influence, it is short-lived (2 Cor 4:4; John 12:31; Eph 2:2). It is both short-lived and limited (Rev 20:1-3, 7-10). See God restricting Satan in a conversation about Job (Job 1-2:6). God placed specific limits on Satan’s actions. See that the same is true for us (1 Cor 10:13). In Christ we are enabled to be overcomers (Jas 4:7; 1 John 4:4).

But, there is more. “Already, but not yet” – His kingdom is real now, but it is not yet what it will be. Disobedience is all the rage now. God is mocked! God’s will is spurned.

But, change is promised. It is coming! Tomorrow, it will be the global norm. What a day, glorious day . . . but, for now we pray

       Michael T. Sanders is the former minister of the Buechel Church of Christ in    

       Louisville, Kentucky and now retired UPS DC-8 Captain.