Editorial December 19, 1977 Issue

"Thy kingdom come"

Nathan A. Talbot

We don't know which disciple it was. But one—after Jesus had finished praying—asked the Master to teach them to pray. From that simple request came a few brief statements that have drawn untold millions together in a common prayer. This Lord's Prayer includes the deeply significant affirmation, "Thy kingdom come."^{Luke 11:2;}

Clearly, the prayer Jesus prayed was far more than words. It described his understanding of reality. And he proved that understanding. He healed the sick. He reformed the sinner. He raised the dead. In a way the world will not forget, Jesus displayed God's kingdom here now. Our prayers may repeat holy and beautiful words. But if we expect to follow in the footsteps that Jesus outlined, these prayers must go further. They must go beyond hope and gratitude. They must be lived.

Our prayer must demonstrate in life the presence and power of God. Referring to Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy writes, "He lived the spirit of his prayer,—'Thy kingdom come.'"^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 211;} Each day we should expand our capacity to live the substance of our prayer. God's kingdom is here, now. We don't wait for it to come. We rejoice and gratefully acknowledge its presence. We live in His kingdom now, and by degrees we prove that right now God's allness is established. His infinite perfection is a fact.