What do we pray for in the second petition?
In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed1; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced2, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it3; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened4.
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Matt. 12:25-28; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 3:8
Matt. 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Matt. 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Matt. 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Matt. 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2 Ps. 72:8-11; Matt. 24:14; 1 Cor. 15:24-25
Ps. 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Ps. 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Ps. 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Ps. 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
1 Cor. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Cor. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
3 Ps. 119:5; Luke 22:32; 2 Thess. 3:1-5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
2 Thess. 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 Thess. 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
2 Thess. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Thess. 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
2 Thess. 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
4 Rev. 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Larger Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
XXI.3 Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men; and …
Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men; and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of his Spirit, according to his will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue.
→ XXI.3 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath DayXXI.4 Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall …
Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.
→ XXI.4 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath DayIn the Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.178 What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
→ Open Q.178Q.179 Are we to pray unto God only?
God only being able to search the hearts, hear the requests, pardon the sins, and fulfil the desires of all; and only to be believed in, and worshiped with religious worship; prayer, which is a special part thereof, is to be made by all to him alone, and to none other.
→ Open Q.179Q.180 What is it to pray in the name of Christ?
To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake; not by bare mentioning of his name, but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation.
→ Open Q.180Q.181 Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?
The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone, we are to pray in no other name but his only.
→ Open Q.181Q.182 How doth the Spirit help us to pray?
We not knowing: What to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helps our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and: What, and: How prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty.
→ Open Q.182Q.183 For whom are we to pray?
We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.
→ Open Q.183Q.184 For what things are we to pray?
We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or others good; but not for anything that is unlawful.
→ Open Q.184Q.185 How are we to pray?
We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.
→ Open Q.185Q.186 What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?
The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's prayer.
→ Open Q.186Q.187 How is the Lord's prayer to be used?
The Lord's prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer.
→ Open Q.187Q.188 Of how many parts doth the Lord's prayer consist?
The Lord's prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.
→ Open Q.188Q.189 What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
The preface of the Lord's prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven,) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions, heavenly affections, and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension: as also, to pray with and for others.
→ Open Q.189+7 more — see the full topical treatment below.