Praying When You Don’t Know What to Say

Your Kingdom Come: Approaching a Holy King in Prayer

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 6:10
• Matthew 6:31

Other references

• Genesis 11:4
• Genesis 11:7
• Genesis 11:8
• Acts 2:5
• Acts 2:8
• Acts 2:11

Overview

Prayer is far more than asking God for help; it is submission to a holy King whose kingdom and will outrank every personal need or dream. Centering on Matthew 6:10—“your kingdom come, your will be done”—the message exposes how cultural Christianity turns the King into a casual acquaintance and calls believers back to reverent, kingdom-first prayer. Using four historic “meeting places” between heaven and earth (ziggurat, mountain, temple, upper room), the pastor contrasts self-focused religion with Spirit-filled surrender, then offers two practical guardrails: seek God’s kingdom over your needs and His plan over your personal brand.

Context

The pastor traces his own evolving picture of God—from “scary judge,” to “homie,” to “friend,” to “911,” and finally to “holy King.” That journey mirrors humanity’s mixed attempts to talk with God and sets up today’s focus on reverent submission in prayer.

Main Points

1. Four historic approaches: Where heaven meets earth

• Ziggurat – humanity’s temptation to climb up and pull God down, managing Him for personal agendas.
• Mountain – God’s invitation to meet Him on His terms (e.g., Moses).
• Temple/tabernacle – the institution allowing limited access through priests; a picture of settled, cultural religion.
• Upper room – restoration of God’s original design: His Spirit dwelling inside believers, empowering them for mission.
  • Story: Tongues of fire in Acts 2 enable disciples to declare God’s wonders in many real languages, reversing Babel.
• Question checks: When you pray, do you climb, pull Him down, rely on an institution, or welcome Him within?

2. God’s kingdom is greater than my needs or desires

• Everyone has real worries—jobs, relationships, health, global conflict.
• Matthew 6:31–33 redirects anxiety: seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and needs are added after.
• The kingdom of God is “upside-down”: serve instead of rule, humility over pride, power expressed through love, treasure stored in heaven, love for enemies.
• “Choose kingdom over control.”
  • Illustration: Marriage dispute—though “right,” the pastor senses the Spirit say he isn’t loving his wife. Immediate repentance shows kingdom maturity: speed between conviction and obedience.

3. His plan is better than my brand

• Culture shouts, “Build your platform; make a name for yourself.”
• God warns (Isaiah passage referenced) that His thoughts and ways are higher.
• Genesis 11 – Tower of Babel: one language used to build a name for themselves; God confuses the language and scatters them.
• Acts 2 – Upper room: united in one Spirit, many languages voiced to gather nations back to God.

  “When Christianity is cultural, the King becomes common and your approach becomes casual.”

• Prayer slips into managing God—“Bless my plans, fix my truck”—when it should echo “Your will be done.”
• God’s will: reconcile all people to Himself—every tribe, tongue, nation.

4. Practical posture shift

• Pray the Lord’s Prayer daily until Easter, but change your physical posture to reflect reverence: stand, kneel, open hands—anything that reminds you He is King.
  • “You might bend your knee to the King, but the holy King bends His ear to hear your voice.”

Key Truths

• Cultural Christianity cheapens holiness; reverent submission restores it.
• Kingdom-first prayer realigns anxiety, ambition, and daily decisions.
• God’s kingdom inverts worldly values—humility, service, spiritual power.
• Obedience speed (conviction → action) marks spiritual maturity.
• God’s ultimate plan is global restoration; prayer positions us to participate.

Response

• Examine your current “meeting place” (ziggurat, mountain, temple, upper room) and move toward Spirit-filled surrender.
• Replace “Bless my plans” prayers with “Advance Your kingdom through me.”
• Memorize Matthew 6:10 and pray it before presenting personal requests.
• Act on convictions quickly, especially in relationships where pride resists.
• Physically alter your prayer posture this week to reinforce reverence.

Closing

Our approach to a holy King must never be casual. Real prayer bows before His throne, seeks His upside-down kingdom, and trusts His higher ways. When we honor Him, He graciously fills us with His Spirit so the world hears the wonders of God in its own language.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, holy King, I give You my life, I surrender my heart. Today, I declare Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. I am forgiven of all my sins. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can follow You and do Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”