In
ministry groups, in conversation with Men in Ministry and in observation men
and women, for that matter, struggle to pray each morning. This is referring to meaningful prayer
time. This does not refer to the morning microwave, fast food or drive through prayer. The first place we need to turn for
direction is the Bible. Mathew 6:33: “33 But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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| You mean I can spend every morning with the King of Kings! |
The
Bible clearly commands us in a number of ways to have a real prayer time with
God first of every day. Seek first the Kingdom. It is a command. There are no
reservations at the front end or anywhere in the scripture verse. Seek first
the Kingdom. The first part of every day, the first part of every meal, the
first part of every meeting, the first part of every thing we do. Get the power from God. Prayer is powerful!
First
is an interesting word with deep meaning. Deep meaning especially as it is
expressed in the Matthew 6:33. The definition describes when first is. Look at the definition: being before
all others with respect to time, order, rank, importance, etc. The penetrating of the Holy Spirit is
right in that definition.
Matthew
6:33 phrased a little differently might read: Seek God first in time of the
day, first on my to-do list and first before I think of anything. We can debate; on second thought there
really is not a credible debate. First is only one thing, first!
Let
us look somewhere else in the Bible. Every day we should strive to become more like Jesus. In 1 Peter 1:14-16
there are a few more commands. “So you must live as God’s obedient children.
(Skip forward in the reading) For the scriptures say, “You must be holy because
I am holy.”
One
more look if we are to be holy because Jesus is holy, it makes sense that he
gave us the example of living a holy life. In Mark 1:35 Jesus is the example:
very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house
and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
Back
to seek first the Kingdom of God the back end of the scripture describes the
reward: “and all these things will be given to you as well.” Men in Ministry I want that promise in my life!
Then
Matthew goes on to tell us not to worry. I think we worry because we are not
giving Jesus the first of the day and all time. That is for another article or
hub.
God
commands us to seek Him first. He then tells us if we do he will meet all our
needs.
We
are commanded to spend the very first part of the day in a meaningful time with
God. Seek first the Kingdom, be holy because He holy and Jesus’ example going
off I solitude early in the morning while it was still dark.
Quality
prayer time includes thanksgiving, praise, worship, Bible Study and petition.
Psalm 100:4: “enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”
In Matthew 6 Jesus gives us the framework for prayer when He gives the
Lord’s Prayer.
Start
today, "and all these things will be given to you" all your needs
will be met. It is a promise from God.
Glad Tidings Men in Ministry
