Text:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God[a] and his[b] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Meditation:
Jesus was preoccupied with the Kingdom of God. Mark writes that Jesus began his ministry saying, “The time promised by God has come at last! The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:15. Later he said, “If I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.” Matthew 12:28. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he included this petition in his model prayer. “Our Father in heaven…May your Kingdom come soon,” Matthew 6:9-13 NLT.
If we are to pray this prayer honestly, then it means we must align our lives with Jesus’ focus. In a life full of choices, do I put Kingdom above work? Above play? Above family? It is apparent in what Jesus said to his followers that he would not allow any other god or any other interest to take first place. We human beings are transparent in our allegiances, and it becomes quickly apparent in how we use our money, whether we have time for Jesus in our “busy” schedules, and what relationships we prefer the most who is our God and what King we serve.
Prayer:
Reigning King of all that exists, God above all gods, and Lord ruling all other lords, we pray that you will help us to have the courage and discipline to give you the reins of our lives. We pray that when push-comes-to-shove, we will give our allegiance to you. Sensitize our spirits so that when other gods vie for our attention we will feel a divine impulse and give our lives only to you and your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.