Nov 4 - Matthew 6:10bc

Jesus said,

"Your will be done on

earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10bc

Historically when an explorer stepped on the shore of a new land, he'd plant a flag and declare that this land now belonged to his country.

Famous paintings and pictures show Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong planting their country's flags in places as far apart as North America and the moon.

In terms of prayer, the question is: Who "owns" this planet that we pray for?

The ultimate answer is God. Of course.

But in genesis one, God gave humans dominion over earth. Therefore, we are lowercase kings of the planet.

Then in Genesis 3, we sold our authority over to Satan and sin. He is an even lower – not just lowercase – king. That's why Jesus calls Satan, "the ruler of this world" (thankfully, to "be driven out") - see John 12:31.

But we can't understand our earthly circumstances until we understand that this is temporarily Satan's territory.

Therefore, prayer is warfare. When we pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we are staking God's flag in the heart of enemy territory. We are claiming this land and these circumstances for God. And thus we are declaring war against the one who thinks he is in charge. (And by the way, we are declaring war against the rebelliousness in our own hearts too.)

Ultimately, this world belongs to God. And he promises that the Victorious Son will come again and claim this planet ultimately and eternally. But until then, God gives us the choice and the power to claim corners of this world for him… or not.

What do you want to claim – away from sin and Satan – in the name of Jesus, in and around your life and throughout this broken world?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who plants flags

(Since I don't have a

green-enough thumb to plant

flowers and tomatoes,

I might as well plant

the Kingdom.)