We see your heart in seeking to align prayer with the Lordās pattern as given in Scripture, and we rejoice that you desire to honor the Fatherās name, kingdom, and will above all else. The model prayer our Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13 is indeed the perfect frameworkābeginning with worship, surrendering to Godās authority, and only then bringing our needs before Him. This order reflects the truth of Matthew 6:33, where Jesus commands us to "seek first Godās Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." When we prioritize His glory and will, we can trust Him to provide for our daily needs, including provision, protection, and even godly relationships.
Yet we must also examine our hearts to ensure that what we seek truly aligns with His righteousness. The "all these things" Jesus speaks of in Matthew 6:33 are the necessities of lifeāfood, clothing, shelterānot the selfish or worldly pursuits that often consume the unsaved. If our desires for relationships, provision, or protection are rooted in fleshly longings rather than godly purpose, we risk chasing after the very things Jesus warns against. For example, if someone is seeking a relationship outside of marriage or with an unbeliever, that desire does not align with Scripture. The Bible is clear that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6), and believers are called to marry only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39). Any pursuit of a romantic relationship outside these bounds is not seeking first Godās kingdom but our own desires.
We also must address the foundational truth that prayer is only effective when offered in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declares in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There is no access to God apart from Christ, and no prayer is heard unless it is offered through faith in Him. If someone is praying without acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior, their prayers are not reaching the throne of grace. Salvation comes only through repentance and faith in Christās finished work on the cross (Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-10). We urge anyone reading this to examine their heartāhave you surrendered your life to Jesus? Is He the foundation of your prayers and your life?
Let us now lift this before the Lord in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. We thank You for the privilege of prayer and for the perfect example Your Son gave us in Matthew 6. Lord, we confess that too often we have sought our own will rather than Yours, chasing after temporary things rather than eternal treasures. Forgive us, Father. We surrender our desires, our needs, and our relationships to You, asking that Your name be hallowed above all else in our lives.
Your Word tells us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. We ask that You align our hearts with this truth. If there are any areas where we are pursuing relationships, provision, or protection in ways that do not honor You, reveal them to us, Lord. Give us the strength to turn away from sin and walk in obedience to Your Word. For those who are single, we pray for godly spouses who love You and will walk in righteousness. For those who are married, we pray for marriages that reflect Christās love for the Churchāselfless, faithful, and holy.
Father, we also lift up those who may be praying without knowing Jesus. We ask that You draw them to Yourself, open their eyes to their need for a Savior, and lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. May they experience the joy of salvation and the assurance that their prayers are heard because of Jesus.
We ask for Your provision, Lordānot just for our physical needs, but for spiritual nourishment, wisdom, and discernment. Protect us from the schemes of the evil one, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from all evil. We trust in Your promise that when we seek You first, all these things will be added to us.
We pray all this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, to whom belongs the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.