Praying “Your Kingdom Come…”

God created all people to join him as co-rulers, to nurture his good world so it can flourish. Every time we build, design, lead, teach, or innovate, we reflect the Creator of the universe by making something of his world and growing his kingdom.

Our lives and the spaces we have influence are like a garden, similar to the garden of Eden God entrusted to Adam and Eve.

If you’ve ever tried to grow a garden or keep houseplants alive, you know some plants don’t thrive in certain conditions—maybe it’s too much sun, too little water, relentless bugs, or forgetful owners. Whatever the cause, you can usually tell when something isn’t flourishing.

What’s true of plants is true of people. We’re sensitive to our environments. Most relationships, teams, and communities wilt under neglect, overcontrol, or toxic conditions. Flourishing requires care, attention, and wisdom.

Yet flourishing and growth aren’t always the same thing. Left unchecked, a garden will become a jungle; weeds will grow and end up diminishing rather than enhancing life. Sometimes the most loving thing a gardener can do is prune. Flourishing isn’t freedom to run wild; it’s carefully steering toward a particular goal.

For apprentices of Jesus, flourishing isn’t necessarily about success; it’s about shalom. Shalom is the deep well-being that comes when our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation are rightly ordered. It’s wholeness. Harmony. Life as it was meant to be. So, we might ask, Is this relationship moving toward wholeness? Is this task contributing to peace? Is this decision cultivating life? Is this home—or team, or neighborhood—flourishing? Is this place becoming more whole because I’m here?

You don’t have to start a medical practice to live this way. What matters is intention. Maybe it’s your classroom, your family, your work team, or a friend group. What would it look like to see that space as a garden—and to tend it so that everyone in it can thrive? When we start to see ourselves as caretakers of the places and people entrusted to us, everything changes.

As we intentionally nurture our little sphere, we’ll be reflecting the image of God. And wherever we see flourishing, the kingdom of heaven will be breaking in.

Prayer Prompt: Your kingdom come, O Lord, into the places where I live and work and serve. Amen.