this grace we must
diligently pray.

This petition is placed first, because it is the most necessary to the
glorification of God and to our salvation. It is also the foundation of
the other petitions.

2. In the second petition "Thy kingdom come," a threefold kingdom of
God is meant, for the coming of which we pray. It is the kingdom of God
about us, in us and above us. The kingdom of God about us is the Church
of Christ. Christ founded it as His divine kingdom on earth, to glorify
God and lead mankind to Salvation. We ask that God may grant to all men
grace to recognize our holy Church as _the_ divine institution, to
submit themselves to her authority, and to become members of this
Church find order to properly worship the true God, to glorify Him, and
thus work their salvation.

The kingdom of God is within us, when we allow ourselves to be ruled
and guided not by the spirit of the world, but by the spirit of God.
"Those who are moved by the spirit of God are God's children." In his
soul is the kingdom of God established whose faith agrees with the
teaching of the Church, who hopes, loves and lives in the true faith.

The kingdom of God above us is the kingdom of heaven. The Church on
earth is the kingdom of truth, of grace, of virtue; it will become in
heaven the kingdom of glory.

Through this triple kingdom God is glorified on earth and in heaven,
and this is the first and chief aim of every created thing. Through
this threefold kingdom we gain salvation, happiness and eternal life.
That this threefold dominion of God may come to us and to all mankind
we ask the Father in heaven in the second petition.

In order that what we ask for in the second petition may be attained we
must comply with the third petition: "Thy will be done on earth, as it
is in heaven." Almighty God is the supreme ruler of heaven and earth.
All creatures in heaven and earth must submit themselves
unconditionally to His holy will. God makes His will known to us
through His commandments, and through His holy Church. We must be ready
and willing at all times to do the will of God, and to submit to it in
all things. We must obey His commandments, we must gladly and humbly
submit ourselves to His dispensations, no matter what they may be. That
God's will may at all times be done by us, and in us, and in all
things, this should be our ardent desire, not with a servile fear but
with filial love, as Jesus has taught us by His word and example.