The Second Petition

As in the first petition we prayed, regarding the honor and name of God, that he would restrain the world from adorning its falsehoods and wickedness therewith, but would help us to revere his name and keep it holy in our doctrine and in our lives, to the praise and glory of that name; so here we pray that his kingdom may come. Just as, though God's name is in itself holy, we pray that it be hallowed among us; so, though his kingdom comes of its own power, without our prayer, we pray that it may come to us—that is, that it may prevail in and among us, so that we may be a part of those among whom his name is hallowed and his kingdom prospers.

Now, what is the kingdom of God? The answer is: Simply what we learned in the Creed—that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, into the world to redeem and deliver us from the devil's power and to bring us to himself and reign over us a king of righteousness, of life and salvation, defending us from sin, death and an evil conscience. And, further, that God gave us his Holy Spirit to teach us, through his holy Word, and by his power to enlighten and strengthen us in faith. We pray here, then, that all this may be realized by us, and that we may so honor his name through his holy Word and our Christian life that we who have accepted it may abide and daily grow therein; that it may be accepted and followed among others and advance in power throughout the world; and that thus, led by the Holy Spirit, many may enter the kingdom of grace and become partakers of the blessings of redemption, and thus we may all remain together forever in this one kingdom which has now made its appearance among us.

The kingdom of God comes to us in two different ways: first, in time, through the Word and faith; secondly, it shall be revealed in eternity. We pray that it may come to those who are not yet therein, and also that in us who have received the same it may daily increase and remain ours in the life eternal. All this is simply saying: Dear Father, we pray give us first thy Word, that the Gospel be sincerely preached throughout the world; and we pray, that it be accepted in faith, to work and live in us; so that through the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, thy kingdom may prevail among us to the defeat of the devil's kingdom; so he shall have no claim and power over us and at last shall be utterly overthrown and sin and death and hell be destroyed, that we may live forever in perfect righteousness and blessedness.

You see that we do not here pray for a mere crust of bread, or for a temporal, perishable blessing; we pray for an eternal, priceless treasure and all that God himself can give. It would be far too great for any human heart to presume to ask, if God had not himself commanded us to pray for it. Because he is God, he claims the honor of giving far more richly and abundantly than any can comprehend—like an eternal and unfailing fountain, which, the more it pours forth and overflows, the more it has to give. He desires of us nothing more ardently than that we ask many and great things of him, and he is displeased if we do not confidently ask and entreat.

If the richest and most powerful emperor were to bid a poor beggar ask for whatever he might desire, prepared to bestow great and princely gifts, and the poor, foolish fellow were to ask only for a cup of broth, he would justly be considered a rogue and a villain thus to despise and mock the royal invitation; he would not be worthy to appear in the presence of the imperial majesty. Likewise, it is a dishonor and disgrace to God if we, to whom he offers under pledge unspeakable blessings, despise them or do not have confidence that we shall receive them, and scarce venture to ask for a morsel of bread. The fault lies wholly in that shameful unbelief which does not look to God even for bodily nourishment; much less does it confidently expect eternal blessings from God. Therefore, we must strengthen ourselves against unbelief and let the kingdom of God be the first thing for which we pray. Then we shall truly have all other things in abundance; as Christ teaches: "But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," Mt 6, 33. For how could God allow us to suffer want in temporal things when he promises eternal and imperishable blessings?