Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come,) acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan,[b] we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed,[c]
the gospel propagated throughout the world,[d] the Jews called,[e] the fullness of the Gentiles brought in;[f] the church furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances,[g]
purged from corruption,[h] countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:[i] that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins,
and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:[k] that Christ would rule in our hearts here,[l] and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:[m]
and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.[n]
In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come,) we acknowledge ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan,[b]
| [b]. Eph. 2:2-3
(Ephesians 2:2-3) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. |
we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed,[c]
| [c]. Ps. 68:1, 18; Rev. 12:10-11
(Psalm 68:1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. {18} Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also,
that the LORD God might dwell among them. |
we pray, that the gospel propagated throughout the world,[d]
| [d]. 2 Thess. 3:1
(2 Thessalonians 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: |
we pray, that the Jews called,[e]
| [e]. Rom. 10:1
(Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. |
we pray, that the fullness of the Gentiles brought in;[f]
| [f]. John 17:9, 20; Rom. 11:25-26; Ps. 67 throughout
(John 17:9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. {20} Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (Romans 11:25-26) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. {26} And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Psalm 67) To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. {2} That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. {3} Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. {4} O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. {5} Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. {6} Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. {7} God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. |
we pray, that the church be furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances,[g]
| [g]. Matt. 9:38; 2 Thess. 3:1
(Matthew 9:38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. |
we pray, that the church be purged from corruption,[h]
| [h]. Mal. 1:11; Zeph. 3:9
(Malachi 1:11) For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zephaniah 3:9) For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. |
we pray, that the church be countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:[i]
| [i]. 1 Tim. 2:1-2
(1 Timothy 2:1-2) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; {2} For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. |
we pray, that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:[k]
| [k]. Acts 4:29-30; Eph. 6:18-20; Rom. 15:29-30, 32; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Thess. 2:16-17
(Acts 4:29-30) And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, {30} By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (Ephesians 6:18-20) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; {19} And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, {20} For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Romans 15:29-30) And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. {30} Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; {32} That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: |
we pray, that Christ would rule in our hearts here,[l]
| [l]. Eph. 3:14-20
(Ephesians 3:14-20) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {16} That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. {20} Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, |
we pray, and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:[m]
| [m]. Rev. 22:20
(Revelation 22:20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. |
we pray, that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.[n]
| [n]. Isa. 64:1-2; Rev. 4:8-11
(Isaiah 64:1-2) Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. {2} As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may
tremble at thy presence! |