Exploring Genesis 1 gives us insight into this portion of Jesus’ model prayer, May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Genesis 1:1-25 (NIV) is filled with this kind of language: God created…let there be…God made…God said…it was so…and God saw it was good. Comparatively, in Genesis 1:26 (NIV) a decided change in the flow of language takes place: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over…”

God then started speaking to the crown of His creation in Genesis 1:28 (NIV), God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” In verse 29, God began his impartation to mankind, Then God said, “I give you…” and finally, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31 NIV)

God spoke to man about the rest of His creation anticipating that humans would rule over it. Because Adam & Eve broke their trust in God (Genesis 3), the communication line between heaven and earth was compromised, even closed, resulting in separation, decay, suffering, and death for all God’s earthly creation. Jesus’ model prayer gives us not only hope for a final restoration, but a rite of passage to a daily restoration of God’s original plan contained in Genesis 1.

When will our Father answer this prayer?

Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:6-8 NIV)

Again, God speaks to man through His incarnation in Christ about how He will restore His relationship with those who are open to Him. “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” (Mark 16:15 NIV)

Of course, the gospel is filled with good news about the human Jesus’ restorative, earthly interactions with humanity, but good news can also be found in the continuing power of His death, burial and resurrection to impart eternal life and transform lives. The gospel is powerful to cancel the effects of the damage begun in Genesis 3 and to restore our spiritual relationship with Himself.

Take a few minutes to be in awe of the power of the gospel throughout the centuries and in our time. Then ask the Holy Spirit to funnel that power into your personal-sized portion for today.