Devotion
Our Father (Your Kingdom Come)
Scripture: Matthew 6:7–14
When We Say "Our Father"
Jesus could have taught us to begin prayer with almost anything.
Instead, He began with two simple words:
Our Father.
Those words change everything.
We aren't approaching a distant ruler who barely notices us. We come before a loving Father who already knows our names, understands our struggles, and delights in hearing from His children.
Prayer isn't about finding the right words.
It's about coming home.
Every time we pray, we are reminded of our relationship with the One who created us and adopted us through Christ. We don't earn the privilege of speaking with Him—it was given to us through Jesus.
Hallowed Be Your Name
Before Jesus teaches us to ask for anything, He teaches us to worship.
"Hallowed" means holy, set apart, worthy of honor.
Our culture constantly encourages us to make life about ourselves. Jesus redirects our attention upward.
Prayer begins by remembering who God is.
He is faithful.
He is righteous.
He is compassionate.
He never changes.
When we remember His character, our fears begin to shrink because we realize the One we're talking to rules over every circumstance.
Your Kingdom Come
This may be the most challenging part of the prayer.
We naturally pray:
"My plans."
"My schedule."
"My comfort."
"My dreams."
Jesus teaches us something far greater.
Your Kingdom come.
His Kingdom is wherever Christ reigns.
Every act of forgiveness…
Every moment of obedience…
Every life transformed by grace…
Every person who comes to faith…
These are glimpses of God's Kingdom breaking into our world.
When we pray for His Kingdom to come, we are also praying:
"Lord, let Your rule begin with me."
Change my heart before You change my circumstances.
Teach me to love what You love.
Help me to live like heaven belongs here.
Your Will Be Done
These words require trust.
Sometimes God's will looks different from what we hoped for.
Sometimes His timing stretches our patience.
Sometimes His answer is "wait."
Sometimes His answer is "I've prepared something better."
Jesus Himself prayed these words in the Garden before the cross.
If the Son trusted the Father's will in suffering, we can trust Him in our own uncertainties.
God's will is never careless.
It is always wise.
Always loving.
Always working for His glory and our ultimate good.
Living Kingdom First
Jesus later says,
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness."
That doesn't mean ignoring responsibilities.
It means allowing God's priorities to shape every decision.
His Kingdom changes how we work.
How we forgive.
How we spend.
How we speak.
How we serve.
How we love our families.
How we respond when life doesn't go our way.
The Kingdom isn't only something we're waiting for.
It's something we're called to reflect today.
A Daily Prayer
Every morning we have a choice.
Will today be about building our own little kingdom…
Or participating in God's eternal Kingdom?
The invitation is always open.
The Father welcomes us again.
His Kingdom continues advancing.
And by His grace, we get to be part of it.
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank You for welcoming me into Your family through Jesus Christ. Teach me to honor Your name in everything I do. Let Your Kingdom rule in my heart before I ask You to change the world around me. Help me surrender my plans and trust Your perfect will, even when I don't understand it. Make my life a reflection of Your love, Your truth, Your mercy, and Your peace. Use me to bring the hope of Christ wherever You lead me. May Your Kingdom come, and may Your will be done in my life today.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Reflection
When you pray, "Your Kingdom come," are you only asking God to change the world around you—or are you inviting Him to change your heart first?