Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For Thine is the kingdom

[Note: The earliest manuscripts of the New Testament do not include, “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13). We will include it for the following reasons:

1. We learned it this way.

2. We sing it this way.

3. It’s true. (His IS the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.)

4. Some biblical authority in the first century thought it was important.

5. “But deliver us from evil,” is a bad ending.]

So the prayer ends where it started, with praise, and a statement of how great God is. We will never outlive praise to our God. We will be singing and proclaiming His praises forever.

The kingdom is the realm over which a king rules. So where is that realm? It is everywhere. Think: the universe.

If I go up to heaven, you are there;

   if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning,

   if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,

   and your strength will support me. Psalm 139:8-10

This is important for us right now when it seems as if the world is very fragile and unstable. In times like these, it is easy to fear. But this world is His kingdom and God is in charge. There is nothing beyond his control — nothing He didn’t ordain. Even Satan has to check in with God before he acts. We have nothing to fear. He was in charge, He is in charge, He will forever be in charge. It’s His kingdom and He rules.