Did you know that there are specific things we should pray for? Now, there are just so many things to pray for and you will always have something to pray about. However, the Bible gives us a list of specific things that we should include in our communication with God. What are these? That’s exactly what you will learn!

In this blog, we are going to ask Jesus Christ, properly known as Yahshua, “What should I pray for?” To answer this question, we are going to go through the Model Prayer that our Master gave in Matthew 6:9-13. By doing so, we will find the 5 specific things we should pray for according to Christ. So, if you’re ready, let’s dive in.

Matthew 6:9-13 – What Jesus said about prayer

We all know the importance of prayer in a Christian life. It is among the highest privileges given to man — to be able to talk to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, the Creator of all things, and the Processor of Heaven and Earth. Can you just imagine being able to talk to the most powerful Being in this vast universe? It just leaves you in awe and respect as you ponder on the power of prayer.

In the Bible, there are certain things we should specifically pray for. Now, there are just a lot of them, but today, we are just going to focus on what Jesus taught that we should pray for. To help us better understand, let’s go to Matthew 6:9-13. Let’s read:

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. ¹³ And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

With that, let’s extract the 5 specific things we should pray for according to our Master Yahshua the Messiah:

1. Pray for God’s Kingdom

After praising the Father, Yahshua proceeds by praying about what we should all focus on — God’s Kingdom. He said:

Your kingdom come.

Matthew 6:10

This world is in great chaos and mess. It is filled with pain and suffering. For thousands of years, human beings tried to rule on this earth. Nevertheless, we just prove one thing — humans ultimately fail to bring lasting peace and abundance.

Thus, what we should pray for is for God’s Kingdom to be established here on earth. It is the only solution to human suffering. Now, praying for God’s Kingdom is crucial because of the following reasons:

• We need God’s divine intervention to remove suffering from this world.
• We acknowledge His sovereignty and authority over all aspects of our lives and the world around us.
• We invite His presence and power to transform hearts, minds, and societies, ushering in His kingdom of righteousness, peace, and love.
• Praying for God’s Kingdom is our expression of willingness to actively participate in God’s work here on earth.
• God’s Kingdom gives us hope in the midst of life’s difficulties and trials.

As you can see, praying for God’s Kingdom is crucial and should be part of our prayers. It should be our daily hope in this dying world.

2. Pray for God’s will to be done

The next key petition we should be praying for is for God’s will to be done as we read in Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Life is full of choices but there’s one choice that will never go wrong, and that is to choose the will of God in your life. Remember, God is perfect and His will for you is perfect. It is the best thing you can ever ask from God, that His will and purpose be done.

So, what does it mean to pray for God’s will to be done? Here are some important insights:

1. We surrender to God.

Praying for God’s will to be done means we surrender our own plans and desires to the divine purpose of our Heavenly Father. It’s a prayer of humility, a recognition that God’s wisdom far surpasses our own, and His sovereignty reigns supreme over every aspect of our lives.

2. We trust in God.

When we pray for God’s will to be done, it’s not just about uttering the words; it’s about aligning our hearts with His, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty even when it’s challenging. It means letting go of our own agendas and preferences, and instead, embracing His perfect plan for us. It’s an act of faith, a declaration that we believe His plans are for our ultimate good, even when they may not align with our immediate desires.

But let’s be real—it’s not always easy to pray this way. Surrendering our will to God’s can be a struggle, especially when His plans seem unclear or different from what we had envisioned for ourselves. Yet, in those moments, we’re invited to lean into our relationship with Him, to trust that He knows what’s best for us even when we can’t see the bigger picture.

3. We obey God.

Praying for God’s will to be done requires more than just words; it requires a heart posture of obedience and surrender. It’s about seeking His guidance in every decision, big or small, and trusting that He will lead us in the right direction. It’s a journey of faith, marked by moments of uncertainty and moments of profound trust in the One who holds our lives in His hands.

So as we utter these words in prayer, let’s do so with humility and faith, knowing that we serve a God who loves us deeply and desires what’s best for us. May we continually seek His will in all things, trusting that His plans for us are far greater than we could ever imagine.

3. Pray for daily provision

The next specific petition we should make to God is to ask for our daily bread as we read in Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Now, remember, God is our Father and as a loving Father, He gives us what we need. He provides sustenance and blessings. God is the ultimate source of all good things in life. So, we should not hesitate to ask God for our daily provision.

Here are some important points we should remember when praying for our daily provision:

1. We acknowledge our dependence on God

We should not commit the mistake of thinking that it is our knowledge, skills, and abilities that help us acquire the good things in life. No, it is not because we are good but God is good. We must recognize how dependent we are on God, from the air we breathe to the food that we eat, all these come from God.

When we pray for daily provision, we’re not just asking for our next meal. We’re recognizing that every breath we take, every morsel of food we consume, is ultimately a gift from our Heavenly Father. It’s a prayer that encompasses our daily needs, from the sustenance that nourishes our bodies to the spiritual nourishment that feeds our souls.

2. Asking for God’s providence is an act of faith.

In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, praying for daily provision is an act of faith—a declaration that we trust in God’s unfailing faithfulness to provide for us, no matter the circumstances. It’s a reminder to lean on Him for our every need, knowing that He sees us, cares for us, and will never leave us wanting.

3. Reminder to share our blessings.

But it’s not just about receiving; it’s also about giving. When we pray for our daily bread, we’re reminded of the blessings we’ve received and the responsibility we have to share those blessings with others. It’s a call to generosity, compassion, and solidarity with those who are less fortunate. As we receive from God’s abundance, we’re called to extend that abundance to others, meeting their needs with the same grace and love that we’ve received.

So let’s pray for daily provision with hearts full of gratitude and trust, knowing that our Heavenly Father delights in providing for His children. And as we receive His blessings, let’s also be channels of His provision, sharing His love and abundance with those around us.

4. Pray for forgiveness

Christ reminds us to pray, “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” We are all sinners. We don’t just hurt God through our sinful actions, but also others. One of the most important parts of our prayer is repentance. 

This prayer isn’t just about admitting our mistakes; it’s about recognizing our inherent human frailty and our propensity to fall short of God’s perfect standard. It’s an acknowledgment of our need for His grace and mercy, and our desperate dependence on His forgiveness to cleanse us from sin.

Praying for forgiveness isn’t a one-sided transaction; it’s a call to action. It prompts us to examine our hearts, to confront our shortcomings, and to humbly confess our sins before God. It’s a courageous step towards reconciliation—a willingness to lay bare our faults and seek restoration with our Heavenly Father and with those we’ve wronged.

But forgiveness doesn’t end there. It’s also a challenge—a challenge to extend the same grace and mercy we’ve received to others. Just as we’ve been forgiven by God, we’re called to forgive those who’ve wronged us. It’s a radical act of love and compassion, born out of gratitude for the immense forgiveness we’ve been shown.

So let’s pray for forgiveness with sincerity and humility, knowing that our Heavenly Father stands ready to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And let’s walk in the freedom of forgiveness, extending grace and mercy to others as we’ve been graciously forgiven ourselves.

5. Pray for protection

Let’s explore the final plea in the Lord’s Prayer: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In these words, we confront the harsh reality of spiritual warfare and the relentless assault of temptation and darkness in our lives.

Praying for protection isn’t a passive plea for safety; it’s a bold cry for God’s strength and guidance to navigate the treacherous waters of temptation and evil. It’s an acknowledgment of our vulnerability and our desperate need for His divine intervention to shield us from harm.

When we pray for protection, we’re not just asking for a shield to deflect incoming attacks; we’re seeking God’s wisdom and discernment to recognize the snares of the enemy and the pitfalls of temptation. It’s a call to arms—a rallying cry for spiritual vigilance and resilience in the face of adversity.

But protection isn’t just about repelling external threats; it’s also about fortifying our internal defenses. It’s about cultivating spiritual discernment and wisdom, sharpening our spiritual senses to recognize and resist the subtle whispers of temptation and deception. It’s about anchoring ourselves in God’s promises and standing firm on His truth, knowing that He is our ultimate source of strength and security.

So let’s pray for protection with boldness and confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father stands ready to guard and preserve us from every evil scheme. And as we walk in His protection, let’s cultivate spiritual discernment and wisdom, trusting in His promises to lead us safely through the trials and tribulations of life.

Final words

In summary, the Lord’s Prayer provides us with a comprehensive framework for effective and transformative prayer, as taught by Jesus Christ Himself. Each petition within it offers profound insights into the essential aspects of prayer and spiritual life.

By incorporating these five points into our prayers, we not only communicate with God but also deepen our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we align our hearts with God’s will, surrendering our desires and plans to His divine purpose. This alignment allows us to experience the transformative power of prayer, shaping our lives according to His perfect plan.

May we continually seek to pray in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, trusting in the faithfulness and goodness of our Heavenly Father, and experiencing the profound transformation that comes from a life grounded in prayer.

Join our Teach Us to Pray Course

With that, I hope that I was able to give you a fresh insight into how to improve our prayer life. Now, there are just so many things to learn about prayer.

Thus, I cordially invite you to join our Teach Us to Pray course. In this course, you’ll learn what prayer truly is, how you can harness the power of prayer, and most importantly, draw closer to God. This course has transformed hundreds of students already and I want you to be one of them. So, please do check our Teach Us to Pray course. I’m sure you’ll love our academy! 

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