Welcome to the prayers of rest podcast. I'm your host, Ashtreda Chuchu, and I'll be leading you in prayer

using a simple guided prayer format to help you slow down and hear God's voice. As we begin, find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted,

and take a deep breath as we become aware of God's loving presence,

around us and within us.

Today's reading comes from Matthew 6, verse 10.

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

Let's begin by reciting God's goodness, praising Him for who he is as revealed in today's passage.

Lord God, we praise you and acknowledge that you are the king. You are enthroned in heaven above,

and you reign on earth, and nothing escapes your notice.

Nothing is outside the realm of your domain. So God, thank you that you are in control, even

today, even with the news headlines, even when it seems like the world is out of control,

God, we declare that you are king and that you are bringing your kingdom here on earth.

God, thank you for welcoming us into your kingdom and inviting us to partner with you in the work that you are doing in this world.

God, we say here, we echo Jesus' words, your kingdom come, your will be done because you

are a good king and your will is good.

And so we know that we can celebrate your kingship and your rule how good

you are so in the next few moments praise God for being the good king that is

indeed reigning and ruling in the world today and in your life too. Let's continue now by expressing our neediness.

For Jesus, we confess that this part of the Lord's prayer, this part of it kind of reveals how selfish our own prayers often are.

That your priority, Jesus was always doing the Father's will, but our own prayers are self-centered, self-seeking.

We want to avoid pain.

We want the easy way out.

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