What Does It Mean to Pray For the Kingdom of God to Come

Understanding Matthew 6:10 in Its Biblical Context

Matthew 6:10 states, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This verse is part of the model prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. It expresses a longing for the full realization of God’s rule on earth, reflecting a deep desire for righteousness to prevail over the sin and corruption of this world. The phrase “Your kingdom come” is not merely a wish but a plea for Jehovah’s sovereign reign to be fully established. This petition carries significant theological weight, revealing the nature of God’s kingdom and the believer’s role in seeking its fulfillment.

Jehovah’s kingdom refers to His divine rule, a theme woven throughout Scripture. The concept of God reigning as King is found as early as Exodus 15:18, which declares, “Jehovah shall reign forever and ever.” The Old Testament prophets spoke of a future time when God’s reign would be fully realized, as seen in Daniel 2:44, which states, “And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed.” Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:10 aligns with this prophetic expectation, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God’s rule.

When Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for God’s kingdom to come, He was not referring to a political or earthly government, but to Jehovah’s sovereign rule in the hearts of those who submit to Him. Luke 17:20-21 affirms this truth when Jesus states, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” The presence of Christ among them demonstrated that the kingdom had already begun in a spiritual sense, yet its ultimate fulfillment was still to come.

The second part of Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” expresses the desire for God’s perfect will to be accomplished in the world. This aligns with passages like Psalm 103:19, which states, “Jehovah has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” In heaven, God’s will is carried out completely, without opposition or rebellion. This prayer acknowledges that the current state of the world is far from God’s ideal due to human sinfulness (Romans 3:23), yet it longs for a time when Jehovah’s righteousness will prevail.

While believers are to pray for God’s kingdom to come, they must also live in a way that reflects its values. Romans 14:17 describes the kingdom as “not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” This verse highlights that God’s rule is not about external rituals but about a transformed life that submits to His authority. Jesus emphasized that those who truly seek the kingdom will prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns, as seen in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

Praying for God’s kingdom to come means longing for Jehovah’s reign to be fully realized, both in the present through faithful obedience and in the future when His justice will be perfectly established. Revelation 11:15 proclaims the ultimate fulfillment of this prayer: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Until that day, believers must persist in righteousness, proclaiming the truth, and living according to the principles of God’s kingdom.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).