thine is the kingdom, power, and glory

I have been thinking over this closing line to the Lord’s Prayer lately. When I get to it, that means my prayer time is almost done, and breakfast is waiting to be readied, chores are waiting to be done, and my daily work is waiting for me at my desk. It has sort of joined “amen” as that thing you say to close the prayer but which doesn’t add to it.

But this weekend the Lord emphasized that line to me. It is the last thing we pray before the “amen,” so it is important. Jesus included it in His prayer for a reason.

Thine is the kingdom: When we go to meet our day, prayer time concluded, it is good to remember Whose home we are making, Whose children we are nurturing, and to Whom belongs our spouse. My little house is really not mine, is it? It is a part of His kingdom, so note to self: be careful how I conduct myself here. Am I living my day as the King’s servant or as the House Mistress?

Thine is the power: do I try to make things happen out of my own strength (like the children obeying when they were still home) or do I recognize and yield to His authority? Beware manipulation, for Thine is the power.

Thine is the glory: when things go well because of obedience to His ways, am I careful to refuse glory for myself, and give glory to the One to whom it rightly belongs?

I don’t think I will be rushing through that line in the future.

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Update: continued in Praying my way to intimacy