The Lord's Prayer
Q34. What does this mean?
God's kingdom comes all on its own without our prayer. But we pray that it will come to us too. How does God's kingdom come? It comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live godly lives now and forever.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Luke 17:20–21
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
John 3:5–7
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does God's kingdom come to us according to Luther?
- 2
What role does the Holy Spirit play in bringing God's kingdom?
- 3
What does it mean to "live a godly life" as a student, a sibling, and a friend?
Illustration
A seed does not need your permission to grow. If it has soil, water, and sunlight, it will sprout whether you watch it or not. God's kingdom comes the same way. It does not depend on us. But we pray that it would come to us, that the Holy Spirit would plant faith in our hearts through the Word, the way a gardener plants seeds in good soil.
Application
Because God's kingdom comes through his Word, make time to hear or read Scripture every day this week, even if it is just a few verses. Ask the Holy Spirit to use that Word to grow your faith.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)