Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done

Have you ever had your mind wander when you are praying? At times, I struggle to stay focused. I start on one topic, sincerely asking God for help and then worry creeps in and before I know it, I am thinking about global thermo-nuclear war! Distractions can often crowd out the most important conversations. Yet, Jesus reminds us:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-11, NIV)  

When my kids were small and distracted, I would sometimes place my hands gently on both sides of their face and quietly say, “Look at me. I need your undivided attention. Daddy needs you to hear this.” My love for them demanded a level of attention. I wanted them to see and feel my love and connection so we could have important and uninterrupted communication.

I will never forget the time when my little daughter, apparently frustrated with MY lack of attention, turned the tables on me! She grabbed my face, locked in eye contact and said, “Daddy, look at me. Listen to me. I need you to hear me. I need something. I need YOU!” At that moment, I realized that I was looking at all of the wrong things. I had allowed the distractions of life to push out the most important conversations that could be happening, with those I love the most—my family.  

I wonder how many times God reached for my undivided attention, and I allowed distractions to get in the way of His comforting voice to me. I wonder how often the cares of the world took me away from talking to the One who holds all things under His care. I wonder, how many “Jesus moments” disappeared as I doom-scrolled the news reels and followed that path to a place of despair instead of following Jesus to a place of peace?

When McKenna called my attention back to her, I had to own my distractions. I remember apologizing and asking for her forgiveness. In her own innocent and childlike way, she was quick to forgive, and we moved on. My little one taught me a valuable lesson that day:

It is easy to get distracted with the worries of today, and forget that our needs, worries and fears have already been taken care of. 

This part of the Lord’s Prayer always snaps me back. It helps me find my place in the truth: my Father is a King, and I am a resident of His Kingdom. I am who He says I am. I am a child of God and my purpose is to serve His will on earth, for as long as He grants me the breath to accomplish that plan. 

He carries the weight of the world on His shoulders, so I don’t have to assume that weight. All I need to do is look full in His wonderful face, as the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.  

Today, friend, entrust your future to God, knowing that He has a plan for your life.

You are a miracle!