For what do we pray in the Second Petition?

We pray that

1. True faith and righteous living according to God’s will might increase, and Christ’s kingdom of grace would grow and expand.
   

   2 Pet. 3:18: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
   
   2 Thess. 3:1: Pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.
   
   Matt. 9:38: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.



2. Christ’s kingdom of glory would come soon
   

   Luke 12:32: Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
   
   Rev. 22:20: He Which testifieth these things saith: Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

What is meant by God´s kingdom in the Second Petition?

Thy kingdom come. What does this mean? The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also. How is this done? (The kingdom of God comes to us) When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life, here in time and hereafter in eternity.

God’s kingdom in this petition does not refer to an earthly kingdom, but to Christ’s kingdom of grace here in time, and to His kingdom of glory in heaven.

Rom. 14:17: The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Luke 17:20: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation

Joh. 18:36: My kingdom is not of this world.

Phil. 3:20-21: For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.