With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) O Lord, I am lowly and humble. You alone are my inheritance. Amen.
Word: Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Meditation
What is “the kingdom of God,” or “kingdom of heaven”? First, the kingdom of God is not any earthly kingdom. It’s not America. It’s not Israel. Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:33) Second, the kingdom doesn’t just mean heaven in the future, like we’re waiting for it when we die. No, Jesus always talked about the kingdom in the present tense. “The kingdom of God IS at hand.” “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
So what is “the kingdom of God?” Very simply, the Kingdom is the reign and rule of God. Every kingdom has a king, right? Jesus is the King of this Kingdom. Wherever Jesus is active and present, he’s claiming his territory. He’s been active in your life, so the Kingdom has come to you. You’re a citizen, sealed in baptism.
When we pray, “Thy kingdom come,” we’re praying, God come rule and reign here. Now. Reign and rule in St. Louis as in heaven. King Jesus, come rule in my workplace, in my school, in my home.
Today, pray “Thy kingdom come.” List all the places around you that need God’s reign and rule. Ask him to enter and extend his kingship.
Prayer for Family
· For my immediate family (parents, spouse, siblings).
· For extended family (cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents)
· For close friends that are as family to me.
· For those who don’t have families, or whose families are broken.
· For forgiveness and reconciliation where there is division in my family.
· For provision where there is need in my family.
· For God to be the foundation, and the cross the center of my family.
· For a generation yet unborn, future members of our family.
Closing Prayer
O Lord and King, your Kingdom comes even without our prayer. But we pray that it would also come among us. We are desperate for your reign and rule, for all we see is rebellion. Come into my heart, my home, my family, my work, my church, my community. Rule with justice and with mercy. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.