There are two kingdoms—the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into the Kingdom of God. So we pray to our Father, "[Y]our kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10). This means we long for God to rule over every part of our lives, here and now. We long for God's Kingdom to break through in fullness when Christ makes all things new.
Being a citizen of a country means you have special privileges. These vary from country to country. However, as a citizen of God's Kingdom, we become members of the royal family. We are joint heirs with Christ. We have access to the throne of God. We have personal fellowship with the King of kings. We are His beloved children.
When we surrender our lives to Christ and submit ourselves to Him, we are placing our will in submission to the Lord's.
In order to become a citizen of a country other than the one in which you are born, you must meet certain requirements. The Kingdom of God requires its citizens to accept the reign of a wise and loving King. It means acknowledging Christ as our Lord and Savior. It means being obedient to the Word of God. It requires our saying, "Lord, not my will, but Yours be done."
Human nature is selfish. What we think we need is foremost in our actions and prayers. Prayer that revolves around our own plans, desires, and needs, however, can be contrary to God's Word.
When we surrender our lives to Christ and submit ourselves to Him, we are placing our will in submission to the Lord's. Thus we begin to pray, "Lord, reign in my life, dominate my thoughts, show me Your will."
Within each of us rages the war between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. With Christ we have the victory. Knowing this, press on, armed with the confidence that God hears us and will answer our prayers.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for making a way for me to pass from the kingdom of this world into the Kingdom of God. Thank You for Your promise to make all things new. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:12).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon The Prayer That God Answers, Part 5: LISTEN NOW
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