The Choice of Kingdoms
by David Cross
Jesus taught his disciples the prayer which finishes with ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen’. He was sharing the most powerful words of proclamation and petition ever uttered in all of the history of mankind.
This prayer proclaims the supreme and eternal authority of Father God revealed through Jesus Christ, while at the same time recognising that there is an evil spiritual ruler in this world that has gained dominion, through the sinfulness of man and is still seeking to gain more of that dominion.
Through this prayer, Jesus is encouraging His disciples, (and that of course includes ourselves), to speak into the heavenly realms their desire to be fully aligned with the kingdom of God. At the same time they are to make it clear that they reject the domain of the one that Jesus calls‘a robber, a murderer and a destroyer’ (John 10:10). It’s amazing that, every day, each one of us, as a disciple, has the choice of which kingdom we wish to promote.
The prayer affirms our alignment with God’s kingdom. It’s not just to be with words, but showing that we trust Him entirely for all our needs (our daily bread). And it’s by following the most important divine principle taught by Jesus – the freedom that comes through giving, and receiving, forgiveness.
Today’s verse reminds us that this is a serious battle for the spiritual life of every one of God’s children. We daily need God’s guidance to avoid the enemy’s minefields and frequently need His deliverance when we find ourselves trapped in enemy territory.
What an amazing prayer! Let’s speak it today from our hearts.
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we also forgive those who
have sinned against us.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the
kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
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