Episode 81: The Lord's Prayer, Part Four--Where God Reigns

During the Second World War, members of the Resistance in France lived under German occupation but looked forward to the restoration of rightful rule of their land, and to liberation from the Nazi war machine.  In a similar way, you could say, the people of God live in "occupied territory," working and longing for God's full reign and rule over all creation, which is God's "territory," as well.  And just as the exiled French leaders did not simply give up on returning to the mainland in order to settle for living away from home in England, God has not given up on restoring and redeeming all of creation, including the world that lives in rebellion against God's ways of justice and mercy.  In the end, praying for God's will and God's Reign/Kingdom is about being a part of God's Resistance movement, dedicated to hoping for and living in light of the promised future when God's Reign fills all the universe and beyond.  And because of that, we realize that praying for God's will to be done is not just "out there," but inside our own hearts, in every corner where we are turned against God's ways and God's love for all.  Pastors Erica and Steve take a look at this part of what we call the Lord's Prayer, to consider what it looks like where and when God reigns.  Join them for this conversation in the ongoing series about the Lord's Prayer.