This profession exclaimed at the conclusion of what we commonly refer to as The Lord’s prayer¹ (see Matthew 6:9-13), is so incredibly powerful in so many ways. But one aspect of it that I never really noticed, or at least consciously acknowledged before is how the profession, and confession “For the Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory are Yours, now and forever,” is an almost compulsory exclamation at the end of the English version of the prayer – brimming with rejoining and praise over the supremacy of our sovereign Lord and King – in many ways the conclusion of the matter – indeed, the conclusion of all matters.  But could it also be a fitting unspoken refrain throughout – providing the context and foundation that each petition or profession rests upon?

Consider the first declaration – Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Our petitions and supplications; our adoration and reverence are about to be laid bare before the worthy God of Heaven – The Most High God (El Elyon), with all authority, occupying the most high “place.” So much so that The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory belong to Him (and of course the merciful way we are at once reconciled into intimacy with this Sovereign can’t be overstated. And note how in the address, His relationship to us precedes his position … hmmm).

Thy Kingdom (continually) come, Thy will (continually) be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We may sometimes gloss over it, but this is not a trivial request. We’re literally asking of The Creator God – maker of Heaven and of earth – that He would mirror or establish the structure, exercise the agency, activity and manifest the outcomes of His Kingdom and His Will upon the earth. Not merely at the end of days, but now in the present, in the present moment as we pray, and perpetually into the future and into eternity. But is there an order here we should stop to recognize. His Kingdom comes – to us, rises up within us, THEN His Will is done on earth as it is (aligning with the way it is) in Heaven. Some even believe that it is as His Kingdom is activated in us, it unlocks agency in Heaven (discussion for another time). Even such that the next event in the sequence becomes possible “Give us this day, our daily bread.” We have provision for the day, and promise of future bread – bread that it is provided day by day. This is the heart and the will and the efficacy of our generous provider Father concerning us.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Why would we forgiveness from this beloved Father? Again, because of His complete and ultimate supremacy (for The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory are Yours). I’ll digress here briefly to note how gracious our God is – He feeds us with day by day bread and extends forgiveness, BEFORE calling us to forgiveness.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil –
Whoa! Well, as written, this phrase is definitely over my head and beyond my spirit at this point in time. I must admit that the idea of the possibility of our loving Father leading us into temptation has always seemed entirely counter-intuitive. And I recently learned that the intent of the original Aramaic was something more like “and do not let us not enter into temptation.” There’s also an original interpretation that’s more like “..and do not bring us to trial – rather deliver us from evil (or possibly from The Accuser).” This depiction would’ve been a trial where The Accuser presents our transgressions before God as our judge.  Certainly do not let us enter into temptation, or do not bring to trial, would be much more consistent with the spirit of the prayer, the nature of our God and the way we might relate to Him. Yet, I Ieave a proper assessment to biblical scholars, faithful students of God’s Holy Scripture, and those anointed with a deeper discernment of His revelation to parse it. All I have to offer here even in terms of contemplation – is that who but The Most High and merciful God. owner and ruler of the Kingdom, owner of all Power and of All Glory – would have the ability to lead us away from temptation, to exonerate us from the condemnation reported by The Accuser, or to rescue and secure us from an evil engineered by powers, principalities, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places (See Ephesians 6:12).

So how are these triumphant impossible feats possible?  How can execution at that scale even be feasible? Perhaps it’s because – the Kingdom is Our Father’s to rule and to exercise authority over;  (The earth also is His – Pslam 24:1-2). The Power is His to execute & consequently the Glory all belongs to Him …

I think we may be able to see how this prevailing, underlying truth is the only answer to every petition and every praise contained in this prayer… For the Kingdom, The Power, and the Glory belong to El Elyon – The God Most High, Elohim, The All-Powerful One – To Jehovah – The Self-Existent One, now in this moment, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.

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¹The closing phrase (The Doxology) commonly attached to the Christian version of “The Lord’s Prayer,” was not included in Luke’s gospels. it is very similar to the Prayer of  David” “Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Ch 29:11)