During one of my most painful moments during our time in Israel, I didn’t even know how to pray anymore. I asked God for his view of my situation. His answer changed my prayer life, and I hope it will change yours too:

“On Earth as it is in Heaven”

I had essentially given up hope that this situation could ever be redeemed, even by God. When He spoke those words to my spirit, He challenged me to contend for something better. He was basically saying “Don’t stop praying until your reality on the ground matches the reality in Heaven”.

It was a staggering thought. I knew exactly what that would look like in my life, and it seemed too good to be true.

We say we just want God’s will to be done, and sometimes we really mean it. But sometimes, praying for God’s will to be done is a way of admitting that we’ve already given up. We don’t dare ask for the thing that’s burning in our heart. Daring to believe and facing disappointment again is too painful.

“Thy will be done” all by itself, has a subtle undertone of resignation. God is challenging me to remember the rest of the sentence.

“Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

You’re not delusional. This isn’t about fantasy or wish fulfillment. You’re simply praying for what already is.

You’re praying for reality to show up.

Reality will wipe away every tear. Reality will heal every disease and right every wrong. The reality of the Kingdom will not disappoint. You have the opportunity to usher in this reality with every prayer, if you dare.

What corner of your life leaves you at a loss for how to pray?

How will it look when God’s kingdom has come to that part of your life?

Bring it.