Devotions with Holly Woodbridge

Let’s Consider Kingdom Praying-                                       
Matthew 6: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
​
1)What are we suppose to seek first?
God’s Kingdom and Righteousness. The word “kingdom would make no sense if there was no King.” So, we are seeking for God to be in charge.

2) I thought God was in charge?
He is, but He has given us free choice. We choose to submit to His leadership, His Kingship. The Bible tells us that someday every knee will bow and there will not be a choice anymore. But now we have a choice and as His followers we are to choose for God to be in charge.

3) What does this have to do with prayer?
Jesus showed us to pray this way in Matthew 6:9-10
 “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Kingdom praying is praying for God to be in charge. So, when we converse with God, we can’t seek first His kingdom by always asking Him to do what we want.

4) What about being real in prayer?
Real is good, but it can become me-centered, like- asking for good weather, a new job, someone getting well, etc. These are good things and they are real, and God wants us to bring these needs before Him, but as we spend time with Jesus and understand His love for us, as we recognize our need of Him, as we obey Him, we start wanting His way more and more even in our own difficulties. We seek first His kingdom and when we pray, we pray first for His way to happen in us, and around us, even if it doesn’t fix our problems, or give us what we want.

5) So, what does it mean to seek first His kingdom or pray for His way?
Kingdom praying is about getting my way out of the way and wanting God’s way first. We don’t get to be in control in His Kingdom. It means we confess our our selfishness as we remember it is all about God, not about me.  It means we love, serve, forgive. It means we stand for truth and do the hard work of peace making. It means we pray for our world to know God, to choose Him and His way, to worship Him with their whole hearts.  It means we ask God to use our lives, our voices, our talents, our resources, and even our problems and hurts to bring glory to His name.

So, what are you waiting for? Here’s a line to get you started…
Our Father in Heaven, Holy is your name. Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done.

Holly