The Salutation
Some scholars suggest that the salutation at the end of the prayer, “For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever amen.” was not in the original text and was probably added later. I really do not care whether it was or not. I love the phrase and I need the phrase as a constant reminder of whose kingdom I serve, whose power I need and whose glory I must share.
THY KINGDOM MY KINGDOM
There seems to be at least three distinctive concepts about the place of Christianity in society.
First. Some think it is the enemy of society. In our day the examples would be Nazi Germany and Communism.
Second. Some see it as the defender of a specific government or culture. The church and the government blending together and creating a struggle to see if the government controls the church or the church controls the government.
Third. Nations rise, and nations fall, but the Kingdom of God is eternal. We belong to a kingdom not of this world.
The third view is the one I believe. I dare not see my country as being God’s chosen people. We are not the modern-day version of the Old Testament Jews. Nor can I think that God loves just us and is against all that are against us. He did not come to save the United States of America. He came to save the world. HIs kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and therefore we have no idea who He relates to nor where they live.
Nor do I dare believe He is in favor of one political party and sees the other parties as enemies. He does not fit in our boxes no matter the cause.
His kingdom is a kingdom of love, neighbors, caring, sharing, giving and kindness. Thy kingdom come means I need to get busy brining in those things that constitute His kingdom and not my man-made programs, conflicts and wars.
THY POWER MY TRUST
The greatest temptation the church has faced throughout history has been to give up on the power of its own message and the God behind that message and try to change the world by gaining political power. Every time they bit on that siren call, they created a time of very dark history.
One of the most proven things in history is that we cannot legislate morality, but once again in our day, we are giving it all we have, and it may end up costing us all we have.
THY GLORY MY GOAL
His glory is something I discover and acknowledge not something I give to Him. His glory is not dependent on me nor how I speak, sing, or pray. It seems to me that I can only respond in sheer gratitude.
There is an old gospel song that says it very well. “I have seen Him, I have known Him for He deigns to walk with me, and the glory of His presence will be mine eternally, Oh the glory of His presence, Oh the beauty of His face. I am His and His forever He has won me by His grace.”
And my cup runneth over.