The Kingdom-Prayer Relationship: Entering God's Presence Through Simple Connection

Week 3 Deep Dive | The Kingdom-Prayer Relationship: Learning from Jesus' Example

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." - Luke 11:1-4 KJV

Have you ever watched someone pray and thought, "I wish I could pray like that"? The disciples felt the same way. They saw Jesus pray and recognized something different about it—something real and powerful that they wanted to experience too.

Building a Kingdom Prayer Relationship

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He didn't give them complicated formulas or fancy words. Instead, He started with two simple words that changed everything: "Our Father."

This wasn't just a nice way to address God. It was Jesus revealing the heart of prayer—it's about relationship, not performance. Prayer connects us to God's kingdom by helping us talk with Him like we'd talk with a loving parent who cares about everything in our lives.

The kingdom prayer relationship isn't about impressing God with big words or religious language. It's about coming to Him honestly, just as we are.

Three Simple Truths About Prayer

1. Everyone can pray Jesus gave us a prayer that's simple enough for a child to understand. You don't need special training or vocabulary to talk with God. The kingdom prayer relationship is available to everyone who wants to connect with God.

2. Prayer brings heaven to earth "Thy kingdom come" reminds us that when we pray, we're inviting God's ways into our everyday lives. Prayer isn't just about asking for things—it's about aligning our hearts with what God wants to do in and through us.

3. Prayer meets real needs Jesus included requests for daily bread, forgiveness, and guidance. Our everyday concerns matter to God. The kingdom prayer relationship addresses both our spiritual and practical needs.

Moving Beyond Technique

Many of us get caught up in "how" to pray correctly. We worry about saying the right words or following the proper steps. But Jesus shows us that genuine prayer flows from a heart that simply wants to connect with God.

The disciples didn't ask Jesus for a prayer technique; they asked Him to teach them to pray because they saw His relationship with the Father. They witnessed the natural, life-giving communication that sustained Him.

Your Prayer Journey

Today, I invite you to set aside concerns about "praying correctly" and focus on relationship instead:

1. Find a quiet moment and begin with "Father"—let that word remind you who you're talking to

2. Share what's genuinely on your heart, as you would with someone who loves you completely

3. Remember that prayer is a conversation, not a performance

The kingdom prayer relationship is the breathing of your soul—natural, necessary, and life-sustaining. It's not about impressing God with eloquence but about enjoying His presence through honest communication.

Join us next Sunday as Pastor Brad continues the "Thy Kingdom Come" series, exploring how we live as citizens of God's kingdom in our everyday world!