•A Prayer to Seek First the Kingdom of God•
By Anthony Valente
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Rising food prices, the cost of gasoline and cutbacks in many businesses. World changes affect all of us. It’s enough to rattle our nerves and cause fear in our hearts. We want to spend wisely, make good decisions, and prioritize what matters most. But the truth is, many of us don’t even know if we have the means for next week’s groceries.
When things we count on collapse around us, we focus our strength and attention on our immediate needs. We may take on extra work, cancel family vacations, or just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. We do what we can for a temporary fix, and soon we realize we’re spiritually depleted and out of sync.
Jesus knew his followers would struggle with trusting God in uncertain times. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned believers against worrying about such things. He knew the key to an abundant, peace-filled life and shared it with all who would listen.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Isn’t it comforting to know that even today, we struggle with the same fears and worries as those who stood before Jesus when he preached his powerful message? Jesus’ words penetrated hearts that day, and they will do the same for us. All we need to do is seek Jesus first.
Maybe worrying over daily provision isn’t what makes you feel unsure. Maybe it’s worrying about a family member or a difficult diagnosis. Maybe you’ve strived for so long to create a life that “represents Jesus” that you’ve missed seeing him. I’ve been there, too, and I’m glad to say there is hope. Finding the balance we need begins with a simple yet life-changing refocus.
Seeking God’s Kingdom before anything else is the crucial step to finding the right balance in our lives, regardless of the turmoil around us. When we “fix our eyes” on Jesus, all other things pulling for our attention will settle into their proper place. Our off-balance lives will feel more centered. More at peace. Seeking first the kingdom of God will put our focus into perfect alignment.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for understanding our hurts. Thank You for caring about the condition of our hearts and listening when we pray. You are a loving, compassionate Savior.
Jesus, lately, I’ve felt off-balance. Fear and worry over our present circumstances and our future affect my ability to find peace and joy. There are so many issues in this world. Yet You knew we would struggle with this, so You spoke words that offer hope. We have those words recorded in the Bible to remind us to seek your Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). When we do, everything else will fall into place. Thank You for the Bible. Thank You for meeting our every need as we focus on You.
Help us read Your Words in Scripture as though You are right here with us, speaking to us personally because You are. Help us focus on You first every day by starting each morning in prayer. You know what we will face today, and we trust You to provide. Thank You for giving us hope. May Your will be done in our lives today and every day. In Your holy name, we pray,
AMEN
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
(Proverbs 2:1-9)
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
(Psalm 37:3)
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(Matthew 5:6)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
(Matthew 13:44-46)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 3:2)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psalm 84:11-12)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 14:17)
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
(Psalm 37:25)
And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.
(Matthew 19:29)
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
(Matthew 25:23)
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Matthew 24:30)
(pic verse)
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
(Hebrews 1:6)
Artist
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
By Anthony Valente
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Rising food prices, the cost of gasoline and cutbacks in many businesses. World changes affect all of us. It’s enough to rattle our nerves and cause fear in our hearts. We want to spend wisely, make good decisions, and prioritize what matters most. But the truth is, many of us don’t even know if we have the means for next week’s groceries.
When things we count on collapse around us, we focus our strength and attention on our immediate needs. We may take on extra work, cancel family vacations, or just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. We do what we can for a temporary fix, and soon we realize we’re spiritually depleted and out of sync.
Jesus knew his followers would struggle with trusting God in uncertain times. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned believers against worrying about such things. He knew the key to an abundant, peace-filled life and shared it with all who would listen.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Isn’t it comforting to know that even today, we struggle with the same fears and worries as those who stood before Jesus when he preached his powerful message? Jesus’ words penetrated hearts that day, and they will do the same for us. All we need to do is seek Jesus first.
Maybe worrying over daily provision isn’t what makes you feel unsure. Maybe it’s worrying about a family member or a difficult diagnosis. Maybe you’ve strived for so long to create a life that “represents Jesus” that you’ve missed seeing him. I’ve been there, too, and I’m glad to say there is hope. Finding the balance we need begins with a simple yet life-changing refocus.
Seeking God’s Kingdom before anything else is the crucial step to finding the right balance in our lives, regardless of the turmoil around us. When we “fix our eyes” on Jesus, all other things pulling for our attention will settle into their proper place. Our off-balance lives will feel more centered. More at peace. Seeking first the kingdom of God will put our focus into perfect alignment.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for understanding our hurts. Thank You for caring about the condition of our hearts and listening when we pray. You are a loving, compassionate Savior.
Jesus, lately, I’ve felt off-balance. Fear and worry over our present circumstances and our future affect my ability to find peace and joy. There are so many issues in this world. Yet You knew we would struggle with this, so You spoke words that offer hope. We have those words recorded in the Bible to remind us to seek your Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). When we do, everything else will fall into place. Thank You for the Bible. Thank You for meeting our every need as we focus on You.
Help us read Your Words in Scripture as though You are right here with us, speaking to us personally because You are. Help us focus on You first every day by starting each morning in prayer. You know what we will face today, and we trust You to provide. Thank You for giving us hope. May Your will be done in our lives today and every day. In Your holy name, we pray,
AMEN
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
(Proverbs 2:1-9)
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
(Psalm 37:3)
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(Matthew 5:6)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
(Matthew 13:44-46)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 3:2)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psalm 84:11-12)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 14:17)
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
(Psalm 37:25)
And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.
(Matthew 19:29)
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
(Matthew 25:23)
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Matthew 24:30)
(pic verse)
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
(Hebrews 1:6)
Artist
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
•A Prayer to Seek First the Kingdom of God•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Rising food prices, the cost of gasoline and cutbacks in many businesses. World changes affect all of us. It’s enough to rattle our nerves and cause fear in our hearts. We want to spend wisely, make good decisions, and prioritize what matters most. But the truth is, many of us don’t even know if we have the means for next week’s groceries.
When things we count on collapse around us, we focus our strength and attention on our immediate needs. We may take on extra work, cancel family vacations, or just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. We do what we can for a temporary fix, and soon we realize we’re spiritually depleted and out of sync.
Jesus knew his followers would struggle with trusting God in uncertain times. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned believers against worrying about such things. He knew the key to an abundant, peace-filled life and shared it with all who would listen.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Isn’t it comforting to know that even today, we struggle with the same fears and worries as those who stood before Jesus when he preached his powerful message? Jesus’ words penetrated hearts that day, and they will do the same for us. All we need to do is seek Jesus first.
Maybe worrying over daily provision isn’t what makes you feel unsure. Maybe it’s worrying about a family member or a difficult diagnosis. Maybe you’ve strived for so long to create a life that “represents Jesus” that you’ve missed seeing him. I’ve been there, too, and I’m glad to say there is hope. Finding the balance we need begins with a simple yet life-changing refocus.
Seeking God’s Kingdom before anything else is the crucial step to finding the right balance in our lives, regardless of the turmoil around us. When we “fix our eyes” on Jesus, all other things pulling for our attention will settle into their proper place. Our off-balance lives will feel more centered. More at peace. Seeking first the kingdom of God will put our focus into perfect alignment.
Let’s pray.
🙏 Dear Lord,
Thank You for understanding our hurts. Thank You for caring about the condition of our hearts and listening when we pray. You are a loving, compassionate Savior.
Jesus, lately, I’ve felt off-balance. Fear and worry over our present circumstances and our future affect my ability to find peace and joy. There are so many issues in this world. Yet You knew we would struggle with this, so You spoke words that offer hope. We have those words recorded in the Bible to remind us to seek your Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). When we do, everything else will fall into place. Thank You for the Bible. Thank You for meeting our every need as we focus on You.
Help us read Your Words in Scripture as though You are right here with us, speaking to us personally because You are. Help us focus on You first every day by starting each morning in prayer. You know what we will face today, and we trust You to provide. Thank You for giving us hope. May Your will be done in our lives today and every day. In Your holy name, we pray,
AMEN 🙏
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
(Proverbs 2:1-9)
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
(Psalm 37:3)
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(Matthew 5:6)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
(Matthew 13:44-46)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 3:2)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psalm 84:11-12)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 14:17)
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
(Psalm 37:25)
And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.
(Matthew 19:29)
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
(Matthew 25:23)
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Matthew 24:30)
(pic verse)
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
(Hebrews 1:6)
Artist 👨🎨
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
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