(NOTE:- This article may be downloaded in PDF format for individual or group study by clicking here. Study 9 of 9 on Lords Prayer

These are powerful words addressed to a powerful God. Though these words are not found in many of the earliest manuscripts they do fit in with the theme of the other words in the Lord’s Prayer. They are like a doxology focused on God expressing the fact that He is King of the universe, that He is the source of all dynamic power and that all glory resides in Him. We look at each phrase in this doxology.

1).        “YOURS IS THE KINGDOM”

In an earlier article (number 175) we looked at many of the things involved in the word “kingdom.” We saw that it means “God’s rule over people. It means submitting to Him. Letting Him dictate how we should live personally, in family life and as a society. It means, by His grace, living by His laws, obeying the two great commands to love God with all we are and to love one another as ourselves.”  So the words at the end of the Lord’s Prayer are a reminder to us that not only is He “King” but He must be acknowledged and worshipped as such. Praying “Yours is the kingdom” is a decision to place oneself under His kingly rule.

2).        “YOURS IS … THE POWER”  (Mat 6:13 in some versions)

Here the word for “power” is (dunamis) from which we get our English word “dynamite.” The word occurs more than 120 times in the New Testament. It is used generally in the New Testament in terms of strength and ability in addition to being used to describe the power of God. However it must be remembered that in the New Testament, God is seen as the Supreme One who controls all power whether it be according to His direct purposes or according to His permissive will.

Paul declared the same thing of the risen and exalted Jesus. He expressed it in Ephesians 1:19-22. However before we look into that you may need to have a bit of a break. Why? Because the next few sentences are so filled with power words that you will be exhausted by the time we finish looking at just these four verses! Chapters could be written on each one of the words.  (Just in case you feel squeamish at the thought of numerous power encounters with numerous power words in the next paragraph, I will give you a quick summary. “God Is The One And Only Boss Of Everything And Everyone, For Ever!)

Power words in Ephesians 1:19-22. (For those who desire the power of God in their lives!) Now for the foolhardy, sorry I meant Bravehearts! Here the power words are shown with the transliterated Greek words following in the brackets. (And where applicable some English derivatives are shown as well.)

In Eph 1:19-22 Paul wrote that he prayed that his readers might know

“what is the immeasurable (Gk = huperballo) [English, think of hyperbole.]

greatness (Gk = megathos) [English think of megathon]

of his power (Gk – dunamis) toward us who believe, according to [English, think of dynamite]

the working (Gk =energia) of his great might (Note: It really is might Gk =kratos) of his strength (Gk = ischus)  [English, think energy for “energia” and for “kratos” think of the “cracy” in theo-cracy and demo-cracy.

20 that he worked (Gk = energeo) in Christ

when he raised (Gk = egeiro) him from the dead

and seated (Gk = kathizo) him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [English, think of Cathedral where the bishop is seated with authority!]

21 far above all rule (Gk = arche) [English, think “monarchy” the rule of one person or “oligarchy” the rule of a few. Or the opposite which is “an-archy” meaning no rule]

and authority (Gk = exousia)

and power (Gk = dunamis)

and dominion (Gk = kuriotestos)

and above [Gk huperano = above in rank or power. Also in Eph 4:10, “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”]

every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And he put (Gk = hupotasso= subjected) all things under his feet

and gave him as head (Gk = kephale) over all things to the church.” [English, think of “encephalitis”, from (en) “in” and (kephale) meaning “head.” He is the Lord, boss, master, ruler of the church.]

In Other Words, God Is The Only Supreme Ruler For Ever. He Has The Power To Do As He Wills.

 3).        “YOURS IS …..   THE GLORY”

The glory belongs to Him! But what is glory? It is the Greek word “doxa”. Seeing there are 274 occurrences of the word in the Greek LXX Septuagint version of the Old Testament and 168 occurrences in the Greek New Testament, we find many varieties in the meaning.

It helps us to understand that the root of the word is the verb (dokeo) meaning to think, consider, view, appear. The word (doxa) “glory” then can refer to opinions and to praise and honour. It can also refer to light and perfection. A contrast is made between the imperfections of the glory of man and the perfections of the glory of God. For example in John 5:44, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” Praise from fellow humans is not the same as praise from God. That is seen in John 12:42 “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

 Jesus came from glory with His Father and would be returning to glory with Him. He prayed to His Heavenly Father, Joh 17:4 “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” He wanted His disciples to be with Him in glory, John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

 Believers can be transformed by the Spirit in this life as they focus on the Lord in praise and adoration, 2 Cor 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” They may suffer in life because of their commitment to Christ but God is pleased to work within them to prepare them in this life for glory, 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

 The sense of appearance is seen in the glory to be associated with the second coming of Jesus. He is to appear in glory, Mat 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne (literally “on a throne of His glory”). He takes His people to be with Him in glory, 1Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” AND Col 3:4, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

 Believers are being glorified in this life and will be glorified further when Jesus comes. At His first coming He came to die for sinners. At His second coming He will bring them with Him into glory, Heb 2:10 “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” They will abide with Him in glory.

 The Lord’s Prayer. A Summary

When you put together all the different phrases in the Lord’s Prayer you can see why Jesus taught it to His disciples so that they might know how to pray. It forms a wonderful pattern for prayer.

It begins with a positive confident approach to a loving Heavenly Father.  “Our Father in heaven”

It seeks to give God His rightful place in our lives. “Hallowed be Your name.”

It desires that God establish His rule in the hearts of everyone. “Your kingdom come.”

It expresses submission to do the will of God. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

It humbly asks for provisions from the One who has promised to provide. “Give us today our daily bread.”

It acknowledges that we can only come to God because of His saving grace. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”

It expresses a realisation that there are temptations galore around us and so we ask God to lead us so that we do not enter into situations He knows would be beyond our maturity to deal with. “Lead us not into temptation.”

It asks the Lord to deliver us from any hold that evil or the evil one might have over us. “Deliver us from evil.”

It concludes with praise to God for His love, mercy, glory and grace as we express our adoration and praise to God our Heavenly Father as we affirm, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory. For ever and ever.  AMEN”

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER by individuals and groups. (Added on Sun 3rd July 2016)

Question 1. What does it mean that God is king?How does that fact manifest in today’s world?

Question 2.   In section 2 there are many descriptions of God’s power.Which descriptions mean more to you than the others?

Question 3.   In 2 Cor 3:18 we read that we “… are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” What do you think is our part in the transformation process?

Question 4. How could you describe “glory” in just one sentence?When Jesus returns what sort of glory you think that we will see at that time?

Blog No. 182. Jim Holbeck. Posted Monday 02 May 2016. (Revisited Sun 3rd  July 2016).