Matthew 6:9-13

1. START WITH WHO GOD IS, NOT WHAT YOU NEED

"Prayer doesn't start with your problems—it starts with God's perfection."

Starts with Our Father (intimate)

Not "Dear Sir" or "Almighty Judge" or "Distant Creator." Father. 

But notice: He doesn't just say "my Father"—He says "OUR Father." Prayer is never just about you. You're part of a family. When you pray, you're praying with millions of other sons and daughters.

• In Heaven (Close but transcendent)

• "Hallowed be your name."

• To "hallow" something means to treat it as holy, set apart, sacred. Jesus is saying, "Before you ask God for anything, WORSHIP HIM FOR WHO HE IS"

Application:

Most of us pray like this: "God, I need this. God, fix that. God, help me. Amen."

"Worship recalibrates your heart before you ever open your mouth."

When you start with "hallowed be your name," you're reminding yourself:

• God is bigger than your problem

• God is wiser than your plan

• God is more loving than you can imagine

God does not need buttered up… He doesnt need our affirmation. This part is for you

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

"Prayer isn't about getting God on board with your plans—it's about getting you on board with His."

After worship comes surrender.

"Your kingdom come."

A kingdom is wherever a king rules. Jesus is saying, "God, let Your rule and reign expand. Let Your authority be recognized. Let Your kingdom advance."

"Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly, immediately, joyfully. No resistance. No delay. No compromise.

This is where prayer gets dangerous. Because when you pray "Your will be done," you're giving God permission to:

• Close doors you wanted open

• Open doors you wanted closed

• Take you places you didn't plan to go

• Use you in ways you didn't expect

"'Your will be done' is the most powerful—and most terrifying—prayer you can pray."

We want to pray, "God, bless my plans." But Jesus teaches us to pray, "God, I surrender to Your plans."

We want to say, "God, make my life comfortable." Jesus says, "Pray that God's kingdom would come—even if it costs you something."

Question for Reflection:

What would happen if you actually meant it when you prayed, "Your will be done"? What would you have to release? What would you have to trust God with?

"Give us today our daily bread."

"Anxiety lives in tomorrow. Faith lives in today."

But Jesus says, 'Nope. Daily bread. Every. Single. Day.'

Why? Because God wants you to wake up every morning and say, 'I need You today.' Not 'I needed You last Tuesday and I'm still running on that.'"

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

"You can't receive what you refuse to release."

After dependence comes forgiveness—and this is where it gets uncomfortable.

"Forgive us our debts..."

We've all sinned. We've all blown it. We've all hurt God, hurt others, hurt ourselves. We all have a debt we can't pay.

"...as we also have forgiven our debtors."

Wait. What?

Jesus just made your forgiveness conditional. He's saying, "God will forgive you the way you forgive others."

This is non-negotiable.

Matthew 6:14-15,

The prayer ends with a battle cry.

"Lead us not into temptation..."

"...but deliver us from the evil one."

You wouldn't walk through a minefield alone. You wouldn't go into a warzone unarmed. So why do you think you can fight spiritual battles without God's help?

Prayer is how you call in reinforcements. Prayer is how you access divine protection. Prayer is how you say, "God, I'm in over my head. I need you to fight for me."

"The battle is real, but so is your Protector."

1 Corinthians 10:13

God will make a way. He will provide escape routes. He will deliver you.

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
2. SURRENDER YOUR AGENDA TO GOD'S PURPOSE.3. DEPEND ON GOD FOR TODAY, NOT TOMORROW
4. RECEIVE FORGIVENESS AND RELEASE OTHERS
5: ADMIT YOU CAN'T WIN THIS BATTLE ALONE.