When this expression is used, it often describes a dazzling landscape or an exhilarating moment. At least for those who are not saved. Because for us, children of God, we can experience heaven on earth every day.

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12 NKJV). Why did Jesus pray? It was not written down for us. For a weak Christian, the need for a prayer life is obvious. But for the Son of God? Why did He find it important to take breaks from His daily life to spend time with His Father? The Bible doesn’t say so, so we can only speculate. Maybe it was His way to reconnect with Heaven. We are easily distracted by the demands of this earthly life, and since Jesus was tempted in all things like us (Heb 4:15). Perhaps He also saw in these moments of intimacy with God the best way to keep His priorities in the right order.

No one has lived in heaven for an infinite amount of time to leave it all behind and come down to put on a mantle of flesh for a few years, as Jesus did. And in doing so, He demonstrated to us that the sky can indeed descend to Earth. By connecting to the Father through prayer, we can remember that the Kingdom of God, His Paradise, is not reserved for the afterlife, but that we can live it today. When we give our life to God, accepting the exchange that Christ made by dying on the cross, we receive eternal life. It means that we have no more end in our spirit. If our spirit has no end, we can live today in His glorious presence.

Isn’t that what Jesus was trying to make us understand by telling us that the Kingdom of God is accessible here on earth? “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21 NKJV). God is not far away, on a cloud, or only accessible after our death. He is here with us, and if we give God His place of authority over our lives, we will live now in His Kingdom. That is why Jesus taught us to ask, in our daily fellowship with Him: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ” (Matt 6:10 NKJV).

Heaven on earth is to live now in the peace that reigns in Heaven. There is no sadness in heaven, no torment. If we are children of God, we have the privilege of bringing peace from heaven to earth so that we can sleep peacefully even during storms. That’s what Jesus demonstrated, right? “And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep”(Matt 8:24 NKJV). Oh, we’re still in our body of flesh, so we’ll often be distracted by what’s going on down here. The surrounding circumstances will sometimes invade us with terror or suffering, but prayer must bring us back to this spiritual heavenly place. There may be a storm in this world, but in our spirits, we will be serene. It is a state of mind that goes beyond logic. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 NKJV).

Prayer connects us to heaven a bit like the image Jacob had. “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12 NKJV). This ladder is still there, and by becoming a child of God, we established a flawless connection between heaven and us. This is what allows us to tell others that the Kingdom of God is at hand and accessible to all who surrender to God. We have the opportunity to let our burdens soar to heaven, and take our mission for others to heart. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30 KJV).

Taking a break from our daily life to remind ourselves that our mind has already started living in paradise, allows us to put our needs and desires into perspective, to remind ourselves of what matters. When we connect to heaven, we are relieved of our concerns. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt 6:31-32).