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
• Acts 2:5

Overview

Week two of “How to Pray” centers on the line “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” Pastor Sam reminds us that prayer is far more than asking for help; it is submitting every plan, desire, and worry to a holy King whose kingdom overturns our own. When Christianity becomes cultural the King feels common, so the posture we take—both inwardly and outwardly—matters deeply.

Context

After reciting the Lord’s Prayer together, the message narrows in on verse 10. Last week established God as Father; next week will explore petition. Today’s focus: approaching God as a holy, sovereign King.

Main Points

1. Prayer is Submitting to a Holy King

• Sam’s personal “prayer journey”: childhood fear (“Now I lay me…” felt scary), teen years (“God as my homie”), young-adult 911 prayers, and today’s reverent view of a holy King.

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

• Our posture—physical and spiritual—should reflect that we address the sovereign ruler of the universe.

2. God’s Kingdom Is Greater Than My Needs or Desires

• We all have legitimate worries (jobs, marriage, health, global conflicts).
• Matthew 6:31–33 shifts focus: seek first His kingdom and righteousness; needs follow.
• Illustration: Sam’s marriage disagreement—he was “right” by facts, but kingdom priority (Eph 5 love) required yielding.
• Key practice: choose kingdom over control.

3. His Plan Is Better Than My Brand

• Culture says “build your brand, manifest your destiny.” Pride turns prayer into managing God.
• Illustration: The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4-8) vs. Pentecost upper room (Acts 2).
  • Ziggurat: one language, humans climb up to make a name, God scatters.
  • Upper room: disciples wait, Spirit descends, many languages declared, 3 000 added.
• Prayer posture must mirror the upper room—waiting, surrendered, empowered for others, not self.

4. Four “Meeting Places” Picture Our Posture

• Ziggurat – the temptation (manage God).
• Mountain – the invitation (meet God).
• Temple – the institution (depend on leaders only).
• Upper Room – the restoration (God indwells believers to reach the world).

• Ask: Where am I praying from? Aim for the upper-room posture.

5. Tangible Step for the Week

• Pray the Lord’s Prayer daily.
• Physically change posture—stand, kneel, lift hands—to remind heart of the King’s holiness.

• “You might bend your knee for the King, but the holy King bends His ear to hear your voice.”

Key Truths

• Prayer is first about alignment, not acquisition.
• Seeking God’s kingdom displaces anxiety because His rule outshines our needs.
• Pride builds towers; surrender builds testimony.
• The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to declare God’s wonders in every language and context.

Response

• Submit today’s agenda to God before requesting anything.
• Trade control for kingdom by obeying the Spirit’s prompt—especially when it costs pride.
• Adopt a new physical posture in prayer this week to signal reverence.
• Ask God to use you to bring His kingdom to someone far from Him.

Closing

Pastor Sam invited the church to repent of casual prayer and embrace the King’s holiness. Many responded, surrendering control and receiving salvation.

“Lord, let our lives be lives that seek Your kingdom, that seek Your will.”

Prayer

The pastor led a corporate prayer of surrender: acknowledging sin, declaring Jesus as Lord and Savior, and asking the Spirit to fill and empower believers to live for God’s kingdom.