One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Luke 11:1-4
In this 17th installment of the “Speaking of the Kingdom” series, I hope that one thing is becoming clear: The Kingdom of God is, quite literally, a Kingdom. In the time when the books of the Bible were authored, approaching the throne of a ruler was the only way to make a request. However, this wasn’t something to take lightly; rulers held ultimate authority, and anyone seeking their audience knew they could face rejection or even punishment if the ruler found their presence offensive or unworthy. This understanding of the throne as a place of both power and judgment adds profound depth to our concept of prayer, which we are exploring in this week’s post.
Prayer is more than just talking to God; it’s a “kingdom word” and a “kingdom activity.” When we pray, we’re not just sharing thoughts or needs into the air; we’re stepping into the presence of the King of Kings, the ultimate authority over all creation. Holding onto this image has changed how I pray, both alone and with others. It’s shifted my view of prayer from something routine to an almost overwhelming reality: we’re invited to approach the throne of the One who rules over everything.
At first, this understanding made prayer feel intimidating, and it led me to approach it more thoughtfully. But it’s also helped me see that, because of Jesus, we can come to God’s throne with confidence, knowing that He listens to our petitions and welcomes us.
Prayer as a Kingdom Privilege
11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
Esther 4:11
The Bible shows us that prayer is a privilege granted to those who belong to God’s Kingdom. Hebrews 4:14-16 paints this picture of approaching the throne:
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
This is a royal invitation. When we come to God in prayer, we’re doing more than sharing our thoughts or hopes; we’re stepping into the presence of the King Himself, making our requests known. In ancient kingdoms, this level of access was reserved for only the select few, those granted special permission to approach the throne. To stand before a ruler and make personal requests was a privilege of the highest order, one not extended lightly.
And yet, as believers, we’re invited to bring our petitions directly to the King of Kings. Each prayer is a moment where we, as individuals, can present our requests before God’s throne, fully welcomed into His presence. And there’s an even greater reason for this access; but we’ll get to that. For now, the emphasis is that prayer is a rare and astonishing privilege, a moment when we, like those select few in ancient courts, can stand before the King and share our needs with confidence.
Approaching the Throne with Reverence
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
Luke 9:28-29
When we pray, we’re stepping into the presence of God’s throne; His seat of ultimate power and authority. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are described as incense rising before God’s throne, highlighting how precious our prayers are to Him, held in the highest regard like a royal petition. But with this honor comes the call to approach with respect and awe. Psalm 100:4 encourages us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Just as those who entered an ancient ruler’s court did so with reverence, we are called to approach God’s throne with a posture of humility and respect, honoring Him as King.
Prayer, then, is far more than a casual conversation or quiet reflection. It is an intentional act of drawing near to the Divine Ruler, acknowledging His supreme authority over all creation. With this perspective, prayer becomes less of a task and more of a sacred encounter, where we, with reverent hearts, bring our petitions to the One who reigns over all.
Intercession and Advocacy: The Role of Jesus
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:19-22
In any kingdom, the privilege of appearing before the king to make a request often required a mediator; someone trusted to represent you, someone with the respect and ear of the ruler. This mediator, or intercessor, held a kingdom role that ensured your request was heard with favor and respect, bridging the gap between the king and his people. Approaching the king without this advocate was risky, for the mediator’s role was to convey the petition with authority and worthiness, granting you access that otherwise would be impossible.
In God’s Kingdom, Jesus Himself fulfills this crucial role as our Mediator. Romans 8:34 tells us, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus stands at the right hand of the Father, bringing our prayers directly to God’s throne. He intercedes on our behalf, presenting our requests as if they were His own. This divine intercession means that when we approach God, we are not coming alone but are represented by Christ, the one whom the King has chosen to be our advocate.
1 John 2:1 reinforces this by saying, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Jesus, as our advocate, bridges the gap between our human limitations and God’s holiness. Through Him, we are invited to present our requests without fear or hesitation, assured that they are received as righteous and worthy. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the throne not as outsiders, but as those invited by the King’s own Son, welcomed as sons and daughters of the King.
Prayer as Alignment with God’s Will
When we approach the King’s throne in prayer, we do so not only to present our own needs but to seek and align with His will. In ancient kingdoms, a petition wasn’t merely a list of demands; it was a moment where subjects came before the ruler, humbly submitting their requests while seeking the king’s wisdom and direction. The heart of their petition was a readiness to support and carry out the king’s desires for the kingdom. Similarly, true prayer in God’s Kingdom goes beyond personal requests; it’s about humbly placing ourselves in alignment with God’s purposes, open to His direction and eager to fulfill His will.
Jesus modeled this perfectly in His prayer at Gethsemane: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). In this profound moment, Jesus showed us that prayer is an act of surrender, a willingness to set aside our agendas and trust God’s greater plan. Through prayer, we invite God’s will into our lives, even when it differs from our own desires, and we align ourselves with the heart of His Kingdom.
This is why prayer is a true kingdom concept. Like subjects who would come before a ruler to gain insight into his vision for the kingdom, we enter God’s presence not only to share our thoughts but to listen and align ourselves with His will. This shift in perspective changes how we pray, moving from simply asking for what we want to asking God to reveal His will and work through us. Just as ancient petitioners recognized the king’s authority and wisdom, we, too, acknowledge that God’s wisdom far surpasses our understanding.
When we pray with this attitude, we are saying, “Lord, I trust Your ways more than my own. Let Your will guide my steps.” This act of submission transforms prayer from a request-driven interaction into a process of transformation, where our hearts are reshaped to align with the purposes of the King. In this way, prayer becomes a powerful means of not only seeking God’s provision but of partnering in His plans, positioning ourselves to live out His will in the world.
Praying for Others in the Kingdom
When granted an audience with the King, we have the profound privilege not only to present our personal needs but also to intercede on behalf of others. Ancient stories like that of Esther remind us of the importance of this intercession. Esther risked her life to approach the Persian king, pleading for her people’s survival (Esther 4-5). She understood that her place before the king was an opportunity to seek mercy and deliverance for others. In the same way, our prayer before God’s throne is not only a personal privilege but a chance to request His intervention, guidance, and blessing for others.
The Bible urges us to bring these intercessions before the King, especially for those in positions of authority whose decisions impact the wellbeing of others. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul instructs believers to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” This acknowledges that even leaders are under God’s authority, and our requests on their behalf can invite God’s wisdom and direction into their choices, aligning them with His Kingdom purposes. Through our petitions, we can seek God’s guidance and mercy for our leaders, families, communities, and world, advancing His Kingdom on earth as we lift others before His throne.
Prayer is more than communication; it’s a kingdom practice, an audience with the King of Kings. Next time you pray, envision yourself stepping into God’s throne room, not as an unworthy stranger but as a beloved child granted royal access. Because of Jesus, your requests are heard and treasured, and God welcomes you into His presence with open arms. Embrace this incredible privilege and let your heart be transformed as you approach the throne of grace, connecting with the King who reigns forever.
12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12
Additional Scriptures and Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
- Understanding Prayer as Kingdom Access:
- How does viewing prayer as a privilege to approach the throne of the King change your perspective on prayer?
- In what ways does this concept affect your attitude or approach to prayer?
- Reverence in Prayer:
- Why is it important to approach God’s throne with reverence, as people once did with earthly kings?
- Are there specific practices or attitudes that help you approach prayer with humility and respect?
- Jesus as Mediator:
- How does the role of Jesus as our mediator shape our confidence in bringing requests to God?
- In what ways does knowing that Jesus presents our prayers before the Father encourage you to pray more boldly or faithfully?
- Alignment with God’s Will:
- How can we discern God’s will in prayer rather than focusing only on our personal desires?
- What does it mean to you personally to pray, “Your will be done”? Are there challenges in fully submitting your desires to God’s plans?
- Interceding for Others:
- Why do you think God invites us to bring not only our needs but also the needs of others before His throne?
- How does interceding for others align with the example of Jesus, who prays for us?
- The Transformational Nature of Prayer:
- How does prayer reshape our hearts and desires when we focus on alignment with God’s purposes?
- Have you experienced a shift in your personal prayer life when focusing on God’s will over your own?
Ideas for Further Exploration
- Reflective Prayer Practice:
- Begin each prayer time by focusing on God’s sovereignty and majesty. Spend a few moments in quiet reflection, acknowledging that you are stepping into the presence of the King of Kings.
- Before making requests, take time to ask God to reveal His will and align your heart with His purposes.
- Role-Playing “Entering the Throne Room”:
- Imagine what it would be like to enter a royal throne room to make a request of a king. Reflect on the attitudes, words, and body language you might adopt in this setting. Then, approach prayer with that same sense of reverence and honor.
- Study the Model of Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane:
- Explore Luke 22:42 and consider how Jesus balanced His personal desires with submission to God’s will. How does this example impact the way we approach God with our own desires?
- Examining Biblical Intercession Examples:
- Look into biblical figures like Esther, Moses, and Jesus and study how they interceded on behalf of others before God or a king. Reflect on how their prayers affected those they represented.
- Prayer Journal Prompt:
- Reflect on moments in your life where you felt aligned with God’s will or where He redirected your prayers toward His purposes. Write about these experiences and consider what you learned through them.
These questions and activities can help deepen understanding of prayer as a kingdom act and encourage alignment with God’s purposes, embracing the full privilege of bringing requests before the King of Kings.
Next week’s Topic: Father and Son as Kingdom Words
To start from the the first post in this series, click here:
Speaking of the Kingdom #1: Intro
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Tanner H Griffin 
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