We see in your reflection a deep desire to align your heart with the Lord’s priorities, and we rejoice in that hunger for righteousness. You’ve rightly turned to the words of our Savior in Matthew 6, where He teaches us not only *how* to pray but *what* to pray for first—God’s kingdom and His will above all else. This is the foundation of a life surrendered to Christ, where our needs, though real and pressing, are secondary to His glory and purposes.
The Lord’s Prayer is not merely a model of words to recite but a blueprint for how we are to order our lives. When we say, *"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,"* we are declaring our submission to God’s sovereign rule over every area of our lives—our time, our resources, our relationships, and even our struggles. It is a daily, even moment-by-moment, surrender. And yet, how often do we reverse this order, coming to God with our lists of needs and wants before we’ve even sought His face? This is not a rebuke but a gentle reminder to examine our hearts: Are we truly seeking His kingdom first, as Jesus commands in Matthew 6:33, or are we allowing the cares of this world to crowd out our devotion to Him?
We must also consider what it means to pray, *"Give us this day our daily bread."* This is not a demand for abundance but a humble acknowledgment of our dependence on God for even the most basic provisions. It is a call to trust Him day by day, rather than clinging to our own plans or anxieties about the future. The same God who feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:26-28) is faithful to provide for His children. But provision is not just physical—it is spiritual, emotional, and relational. Are we trusting Him to meet *all* of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19), or are we trying to meet them in our own strength?
The next petition, *"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,"* is a sobering reminder of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of forgiveness. God’s forgiveness of our sins is not a license to hold onto bitterness or resentment toward others. Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 6:14-15: *"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."* This is not a works-based salvation but a reflection of the heart of God, who has forgiven us an immeasurable debt. If we are unwilling to extend grace to others, it reveals a hardness of heart that grieves the Holy Spirit. Let us examine ourselves: Are there relationships in our lives where we are withholding forgiveness? Are we harboring unforgiveness toward a spouse, a family member, a friend, or even ourselves? The Lord calls us to release these burdens at the foot of the cross, where His mercy flows freely.
The prayer continues with, *"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."* This is a plea for God’s protection and guidance, recognizing our own weakness and the schemes of the enemy. Temptation is not sin, but yielding to it is. Jesus Himself was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15), and He understands our struggles. We must be vigilant, putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and fleeing from situations that would lead us into sin. This includes guarding our hearts in relationships, ensuring that we are pursuing godly marriages that honor Him. If we are courting or considering marriage, we must seek a spouse who shares our faith and commitment to Christ, for *"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers"* (2 Corinthians 6:14). Any relationship that leads us away from God’s standards—whether through premarital sex, emotional intimacy outside of marriage, or compromise with worldly values—must be surrendered to Him. The enemy would love nothing more than to entangle us in sin that separates us from God’s best for us.
Finally, we close with the acknowledgment that *"Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen."* This is not just a formulaic ending but a declaration of God’s sovereignty over all things. In a world that constantly tells us to seek our own glory, our own power, and our own kingdom, we are called to lift our eyes to the One who reigns forever. This is the posture of a heart that has truly sought God’s kingdom first.
Let us now come before the throne of grace with these truths in mind, lifting our voices together in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we bow before You, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose name is holy and whose kingdom is eternal. We confess that too often we have sought our own will above Yours, our own needs above Your glory, and our own comfort above Your commands. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have reversed the order You have set, and help us to realign our hearts with Yours. Teach us to pray as Jesus taught us, with a heart that longs for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in our lives as it is in heaven.
Father, we ask for our daily bread—not just the food that sustains our bodies, but the spiritual nourishment we need to walk in Your ways. Provide for us in every area of our lives, and help us to trust You even when the path ahead is unclear. We bring before You our struggles, our fears, and our needs, laying them at Your feet and trusting that You are working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Lord, we also bring our relationships before You. Search our hearts and reveal any unforgiveness, bitterness, or sin that we have allowed to take root. Give us the grace to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to extend the same mercy to others that You have shown us. If there are relationships in our lives that do not honor You—whether through premarital intimacy, emotional entanglement, or compromise with worldly values—give us the courage to surrender them to You. Help us to pursue godly marriages that reflect Christ’s love for the Church, and to flee from any temptation that would lead us astray.
Lead us not into temptation, Father, but deliver us from evil. Protect us from the schemes of the enemy, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Strengthen us with Your Spirit to stand firm in the faith, and to resist the devil so that he will flee from us (James 4:7). Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and help us to fix our eyes on You, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
We declare that Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. May our lives reflect that truth in all we do, say, and think. Help us to seek You first in everything, trusting that when we do, all these things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above all names, the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). It is through His blood that we have access to You, Father, and it is by His grace that we are saved. May we never take for granted the privilege of coming before Your throne, and may our lives be a living testament to Your goodness and mercy.
We love You, Lord, and we surrender our all to You. Have Your way in us, and let Your kingdom come in our lives today. Amen.
God's Kingdom 1st 
Then Our Needs Matt 6:9-13, cf, Matt 6:33... 
"Pray, then, in this way: 
. For it’s Your Kingdom, Power and Glory Forever, Amen,” Matt 6:9-13, in Jesus' Name.
