Prayer is one of the most profound gifts God has given us. It’s not merely a ritual or a task to check off our to-do lists—it’s an invitation to commune with the Creator of the universe. Through prayer, we open our hearts to God, align our desires with His will, and experience His transformative power in our lives. In Matthew 6:10, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” These words remind us that prayer is not about imposing our will on God but about surrendering to His perfect plan.
So let me ask you: Have you prayed today?
Matthew 6:10 King James Version
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
The Heart of Prayer: Surrender and Trust
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began with a focus on God’s sovereignty and purposes. The phrase “Your kingdom come, your will be done” is a declaration of trust and surrender. It acknowledges that God’s plans are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and invites Him to reign in every area of our lives.
This kind of prayer requires humility. So often, we approach God with a list of requests, hoping He will fulfil our desires. While it’s good and biblical to bring our needs before Him (Philippians 4:6), Jesus’ model prayer reminds us that true prayer begins with seeking God’s will above all else. It’s an act of faith that says, “Lord, I trust You even when I don’t understand. I believe Your plans are good even when my circumstances are hard.”
Surrendering in prayer doesn’t mean passivity or resignation—it means actively placing our lives in God’s hands and trusting Him to lead us step by step.
Why Is Prayer So Important?
Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline; it’s the foundation of a thriving relationship with God. Here are some reasons why prayer is essential for every believer:
- Prayer Deepens Our Relationship With God
Just as communication strengthens human relationships, prayer nurtures our connection with God. James 4:8 promises: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” When we pray, we’re not just speaking into the void—we’re engaging in a dialogue with the One who knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally. - Prayer Aligns Us With God’s Will
In Matthew 6:10, Jesus teaches us to prioritize God’s kingdom and purposes in our prayers. When we seek His will above our own, we invite Him to shape our hearts and guide our steps (Proverbs 3:5-6). This alignment brings clarity and peace as we trust Him to work all things for good (Romans 8:28). - Prayer Brings Peace Amid Life’s Chaos
Life can feel overwhelming at times, but Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that through prayer, we can experience “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” Prayer shifts our focus from our problems to God’s power, reminding us that He is in control. - Prayer Invites Transformation
Prayer doesn’t just change circumstances—it changes us. As we spend time in God’s presence, He moulds our character, renews our minds, and strengthens our faith (2 Corinthians 3:18). Through prayer, we become more like Christ.
What Does It Mean to Pray “Your Kingdom Come”?
The phrase “Your kingdom come” reflects a longing for God’s reign to be fully realized on earth—a world where justice prevails, love abounds, and every knee bows before Him (Philippians 2:10-11). But this prayer isn’t just about the future; it’s also about the present.
When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we’re asking Him to establish His rule in our hearts and lives today. We’re inviting Him to use us as instruments of His love and grace—to live out the values of His kingdom in how we treat others, make decisions, and share the gospel.
Praying “Your kingdom come” also challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we building our own kingdoms—focused on personal success or comfort—or are we seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)? This prayer invites us to realign our lives with what truly matters.
What Does It Mean to Pray “Your Will Be Done”?
Praying for God’s will can feel intimidating because it requires surrendering control. It means trusting that His plans are better than ours—even when they don’t align with what we want or expect. Jesus Himself modelled this kind of trust in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
When we pray “Your will be done,” we’re acknowledging that God sees the bigger picture. We’re choosing faith over fear and surrendering outcomes beyond our control into His capable hands.
This kind of prayer isn’t always easy—but it leads to freedom. When we release our grip on life’s uncertainties and trust God fully, we find peace in knowing that He is working all things according to His perfect plan.
Practical Ways to Cultivate a Prayerful Life
If you’re wondering how to make prayer a meaningful part of your daily routine, here are some practical steps:
- Start Your Day With Prayer: Begin each morning by dedicating your day to God. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance as you navigate challenges and opportunities (Psalm 5:3).
- Pray Scripture: Use verses like Matthew 6:10 as a foundation for your prayers. Reflect on their meaning and ask God to help you live them out.
- Keep a Prayer Journal: Write down your prayers and revisit them later to see how God has answered them over time.
- Pray Throughout the Day: Prayer doesn’t have to be confined to specific times—it can happen anytime! Whisper short prayers during your commute or while doing household tasks.
- End Your Day With Gratitude: Before you sleep, thank God for His faithfulness throughout the day and reflect on how you saw Him at work.
When Prayer Feels Difficult
There may be seasons when prayer feels hard—when words escape you or when it seems like God is silent. If this resonates with you, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. Even David cried out in frustration: “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1).
During these times:
- Lean on Scripture for inspiration.
- Ask others to pray with or for you.
- Trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf when words fail (Romans 8:26).
Remember that prayer isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence (Luke 18:1).
A Personal Reflection
I once heard someone say that prayer is like breathing for the soul—it sustains us even when we don’t realize how much we need it. There was a time in my life when I felt overwhelmed by uncertainty about my future. I would wake up each morning feeling anxious and unsure of what lay ahead.
One day, I decided to start each morning by praying Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” At first, it felt mechanical—like I was reciting words without truly meaning them—but over time, something shifted within me. As I surrendered my plans to God each day, I began experiencing peace I couldn’t explain. My circumstances didn’t change immediately—but my heart did.
Looking back now, I see how those simple prayers shaped my faith and reminded me that I’m not walking this journey alone.
Read More About This Devotional
Words of Wisdom: The Power of Prayer: A Lifeline to God’s Heart
Quote of the Day: “When You Stop Praying, Miracles Stop Happening”
A Closing Thought
So today I ask again: Have you prayed today?
Prayer isn’t just something we do—it’s a way of being in relationship with the living God who loves us deeply and knows us completely. It’s where burdens are lifted, hearts are transformed, and miracles begin.
As you go about your day today, take a moment to pause and pray Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” Let these words shape your heart and guide your steps as you seek His presence in everything you do.
Scripture Reading for the Day
Proverbs 5 King James Version
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
