So that we do not get too esoteric about it all, let me try to boil down what I am after in prayer – and as it relates to the first petition Jesus taught to consider in prayer.

‌And by way of introduction to this portion, I am reminded of Jesus’ summarizing words in 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” There is in this a look into an extraordinary exchange which cannot be ours until we digest this first petition well. The idea is this: if we will make seeking the hallowing of God’s name, the advancement of His Kingdom and the doing of His will as our chief priority in prayer – He promises to make sure our personal needs are met in the process. It isn’t that we ignore our needs in prayer – we’ll get to that more in due course. It is rather that He brings us into His own cosmic plans and purposes and promises that in taking those on – He’ll take ours on.

‌So let me break this down into 4 things.

‌1 – Seek first that the Father’s name be restored to its rightful place – IN YOU.

‌Nothing so breaks the yoke of doubt and fear in your own circumstances, as having your heart and mind filled with the wonder, glory and awe of the greatness and goodness of God. This one who spoke the cosmos into existence, and who can in no wise sin against you, because in Him is no darkness at all.

‌Don’t know how to pray aright in confusing and monumental circumstances? Pray this: “Father, let my soul be over-awed once again by who and what you are as over and against all that troubles my heart and mind. Be who you are to me in all your fullness, afresh.”

‌2 – Seek that the Father’s name and reputation come into full view in the hearts and minds of the lost.

‌You can pray no great thing for your unsaved loved ones than that they too come to see Him for who and what He is. How do you pray for that erring child, that unsaved spouse, that perishing friend caught in destructive sin? “Father, let them see you. Let them come to know you as I know you. Let them be overwhelmed by your love, your grace, your mercy, and your holiness, so that they fall to their knees before you. Hallowed be your name, to them.”

‌3 – Seek that the Father’s name and reputation be restored to all sentient beings in the universe.

‌Nothing can be set to rights in this fallen world until all come to see Him and know Him and reverence Him for who and what He is – especially as revealed in Christ. “Father, the World is awash in confusion, degradation, sin, bondage and destruction. We need more than revival as a religious movement in our Church, our government or nation – we need true, cosmos shattering revival in the revealing of your glory to all – so that “at the name of jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to your glory.”

‌4 – Seek that the Father’s name and reputation be restored and reveled in, by your brother or sister in Christ as they face their trials, tribulations and even death. Nothing will do them in better stead.

‌“Father, I do not know how to pray in specificity and wisdom for this my brother and sister in their trial today – but this I know, they need to see you for who and what you are. They need their hearts lifted up out of their circumstances. They need to see you high and lifted up – ruling over all – and reminded that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Let them glory in you anew. Let your sacred name be truly hallowed to them today.”

‌Beginning prayer in this way beloved, you tune your E string to Him. And everything else will be brought into its right relationship to it as you continue. Don’t know how to pray and what to pray for? Start here. And watch what happens.

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