This week, following on from Sunday’s final message in our Devoted, vision series, we are considering how we can learn to be devoted to prayer by studying what Jesus teaches us in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
Summary: Praying for His kingdom and will to come is to pray for more people, and we ourselves more thoroughly, to love and obey Him as King.
‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ (Acts 2:42-47)
“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
As we saw in our last devotion, The Lord’s prayer can be divided into 4 major themes of Praise (6:9) , Petitions (6:10-11), Peace-making (Matthew 6:12) and Protection (Matthew 6:13). Today we are looking at the second phrase and theme: PETITIONS.
PETITIONS: “…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. ”
Jesus teaches us to pray (‘Petition’) for three things: God’s Kingdom, God’s will and God’s provision of daily bread. We’ll only touch on the first two aspects of prayer today. What does it mean to ask for God’s Kingdom and will?
YOUR KINGDOM COME AND WILL BE DONE MEANS:
i. THE RETURN OF THE KING
This, firstly, is about looking forward to the return of Christ. Only then will the Kingdom be fully here on earth. At that time all sin, suffering and opposition to Jesus will be removed for ever. At the end of the Bible we read of the longing for Jesus’ coming that we are all to share:
‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!”… “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”(Revelation 22:17,20)
ii. PEOPLE ENTERING THE KINGDOM
Secondly, this is a prayer for more people to enter the Kingdom by becoming Christians. To be a Christian is to receive Jesus as Lord and enter His Kingdom. We read of Jesus’ teaching:
“Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
This is a warning from Jesus that everyone is to turn to Him for salvation before His return. At that time the kingdom and judgment will come.
iii. REDEDICATION TO LOVE AND OBEDIENCE
Thirdly, It’s a prayer for the church, and a rededication of ourselves, to live more fully as citizens of the Kingdom in this world and so bring glory to God and goodness to all people.
Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert define the Kingdom:
‘The kingdom isn’t geographical. Rather, it is defined relationally and dynamically; it exists where knees and hearts bow to the King and submit to him.’ (What is the mission of the church?).
In essence, to pray for God’s Kingdom and will is to pray for more ‘knees and hearts to bow to King Jesus’. It reminds us that this is our prayer and mission as we await the final return of the King and HIs Kingdom.
iv. A PRAYER FOR CHANGE
Finally, this is a prayer for the Father to step in and change things; where we see war, injustice, suffering, sickness, need... May we be those to intercede for God's Kingdom and will in those areas.
RESPONSE
i. “Your Kingdom come and will be done in me”
How do you need to respond to the King in your life? Take a moment to pray and rededicate yourself to Jesus and His will. Is there anthing of which you need to repent?
ii. “Your Kingdom come and will be done in the church”
What would you like God to do in your church community?
iii. “Your “Your Kingdom come and will be done in the world”
Who would you like to enter the Kingdom? Who has God put into your life and heart that you would like to pray for consistently? What in the world or in your life would you like God to change?
iv. “Your Kingdom come and will be done on earth…”
Finally, are we living in light of the coming Kingdom? Are we looking forward and being faithful to Jesus as we wait for His coming?
Here is a great song on the theme of prayer:
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
It's been a while since most of our groups have met and some will be new to your groups. I encourage you to spend time catching up and praying for one another. Perhaps you might want to discuss things that you can celebrate and things for which you would like God's help.
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday, we finished our vision series, Devoted. This series has been based upon what we see modelled in the early church from Acts 2:
‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ (Acts 2:42-47)
We have considered how God wants us to be a church that is devoted to:
i. The apostles teaching (devoted to learning from scripture).
ii. Fellowship (devoted to being 'family on purpose' which requires dedication and time).
iii. Breaking bread (Eating together and remembering the gospel through Communion).
iv. Prayer (Devoted to being a praying community).
This is God's vision for any local church and He wants all of us to be devoted to this.
On Sunday we were encouraged that 'prayer is taught and caught'.
i. PRAYER IS TAUGHT
We learn to pray through teaching, reading good books, and, most importantly, by reading what the Bible has to say about prayer.
ii. PRAYER IS CAUGHT
We learn to pray and teach others to pray by praying together. In a family, in a Community Group, in church prayer meetings... we learn from others.
RESPONSE
I encourage you to read the blogs this week. These are focussed on learning to pray by using The Lord's Prayer as a model.
Let's, all of us, be as devoted to the church prayer meeting on Sunday evening as we can be. You will not regret the benefit that comes from this.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
i) Did you feel that God spoke to you from any particular aspect of Sunday's message?
ii) Which of the four aspects of devotion from Acts 2 do you find most difficult and why?
iii) Our reading from Acts 2:42-47 speaks of church growth. Why will the church grow if we are devoted to these things?
SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories of sharing your faith with your friends?
SIV - How do you plan to 'serve, invest and invite' into your friendships?
SIV - Let's pray for the Spirit to lead us in reaching our community.