“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our

daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:10-12

After teaching his disciples how to begin our conversations with God through a loving

plea to our Father for more child-like affection (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your

name) Jesus then transitions to the heart of this model prayer. He wastes no time

getting to the heart of the matter as it relates to what we should be asking for. It’s a

request that’s greater than our next meal (He’s getting to that). It’s a plea that ranks

higher than our current financial status. It’s a plea that’s even greater than the number

of years we are permitted to live on this earth. Here’s what Jesus tells us to pray next:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

So here’s the main question that comes from this part of Jesus’ prayer: “whose driving

the car of your life?” In other words, who is in control of your decision making process?

Who chooses what words you will speak to your friends and co-workers? Who chooses

how you relate to your spouse? Who chooses how you spend your money? Who

chooses how you use the roughly 15-16 waking hours that you are given each day?

From all the wonderful and stupid ideas that randomly pop into your head, who chooses

which ones you take captive and which ones you entertain?

None of us naturally seek God’s kingdom here on earth. None of us naturally submit our

decision making process to Jesus, which is precisely why he is commending us to pray

in this way. This is a prayer for more “Christ-centered direction.” As Carrie Underwood

once exclaimed, “Jesus take the wheel!”

After the general plea “your will be done,” Jesus gets more specific in two areas of our

lives that necessitate more Christ-centered direction. First, he addresses the issue of

daily provision.

“Give us this day our daily bread” Matthew 6:11

This is our normal, every-day eating, dressing, sleeping, working, recreational

necessities of life. Here, Jesus reminds us that, ultimately, it is our heavenly father who

provides for our daily needs, through Christ. Even more to the point, Jesus raises the

central issue that necessitates Christ-centered direction…

“forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” Matthew 6:12

Q: Who is driving the car of your life? How active is the “Christ-centered” filter through

which your decisions are made? What could potentially change for you if you asked

God for more Christ-centered direction in your life?

Caution: Read Matthew 6:14-15. What is the consequence of holding a grudge?

By Jimmy Carter

Jimmy serves as the Ministries Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church. He is married to Carrie, his treasured

wife of 24 years, and they have one beloved daughter named Christy Ann “C.A.” who is a Senior at LCA

and will attend UK and play golf for the Wildcats next Fall.