Begin With God’s Name, Kingdom, and Will
Strong prayer begins by remembering who God is. Worship resets the heart before we rush into our own requests.
- Read the primary Bible passages carefully and in context.
- Compare Scripture with Scripture before drawing the conclusion.
- State the main truth in plain words you could explain to someone else.
- Complete the Quick Checks and guided study before moving on.
Hallowed be thy name
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Praise is not flattery. It is telling the truth about God. His goodness, mercy, truth, holiness, power, wisdom, patience, justice, and faithfulness give the heart reasons to worship.
Thy will be done
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Submission is not unbelief. Jesus Himself expressed a real desire and then submitted it to the Father's will. Mature prayer can say exactly what we want while still trusting God with the answer.
Prayer reorders our priorities
If every prayer begins and ends with “my plans, my comfort, my schedule,” prayer can become self-centered. Jesus' pattern lifts our eyes to God's name, God's kingdom, and God's will. Then our requests take their proper place.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: Psalm 100:4 • Psalm 100:5 • Matthew 6:10 • Luke 22:42 • Psalm 100:4, Psalm 100:5, Matthew 6:10, Luke 22:42 • Matthew 6:6-13 • Philippians 4:6-7 • Hebrews 4:14-16
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- What does the passage teach about God, the believer, and the proper content or attitude of prayer?
- How does this truth shape prayer without turning prayer into a saving work or a technique for controlling God?
- How could you pray this truth back to God in your own words today?
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize Begin With God’s Name, Kingdom, and Will in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen Psalm 100:4, Psalm 100:5, Matthew 6:10, Luke 22:42. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of Begin With God’s Name, Kingdom, and Will in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- Turn one truth from the lesson into a short, Bible-shaped prayer to God.
- What does this lesson teach about God and prayer?
- How should this truth affect the way you pray?
- What mistaken idea about prayer does the Scripture correct?
Worship and submission keep prayer centered on God. We may ask boldly while still saying, “Thy will be done.”
Daily Bread, Forgiveness, and Spiritual Protection
18 min