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| The Inn at St Johns, Plymouth, MI |
When I began to understand what Jesus meant by "the kingdom of God" I prayed differently. The kingdom Jesus proclaimed is not a place, but the rule, or reign, of God.
I prayed the Lord's Prayer differently. Once I saw this prayer as future-oriented. Now I see it as future and present oriented. God, let your rule and reign come now, in me, in my home, in my community, in my church family.
Stanley Grenz writes:
"Ultimately, all supplication is a request for God to act. It is a cry for the kingdom. It is a request that God's rule break into the present. In short, all supplication is addressed to the One who is able and willing to bestow the kingdom as a gift of grace." (Grenz, Prayer: The Cry for the Kingdom, Kindle Locations 889-891)
Grenz adds:
"Prayer affects the one who prays for his or her own needs when God's power is released toward the petitioner in response to prayer. Prayer affects the one for whom intercession is offered when God's power is released in response to such intercession.' Prayer affects spiritual powers as God's power is released by means of petition. In each of these situations, therefore, prayer moves God to act." (Ib., Kindle Locations 891-894)
