Introduction: Others honor themselves every day. They are the king of their own kingdom. We are talking about the first part of the Lord’s prayer and how to intercede for others to give God honor, to give God permission to rule their day, and to give God permission to provide for them.

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Matthew 6:9-11 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.’ ”

They honor themselves every day. They honor themselves as the decision makers in their own lives. Jesus wants them to humble themselves in prayer, and give honor to the Name of God the Father. They are really honoring God’s decisions above their own. There is no honor given to the Name of God if they only decide for themselves every day, and never give God permission to decide for them. The best way to understand what Jesus is teaching about prayer, is with this one verse. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said to his audience, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Thy should humble themselves and give honor to God by giving Him permission to make the decisions He wants to make for them.

They are the king of their own kingdom. This is about authority. Under whose authority do they take action each day? They are the masters of their own body and life. They live under their own authority. They should humble themselves, and give God’s kingdom the right to rule over them each day. Jesus is the King over the Kingdom of God. Each day Jesus wants them to choose to place themselves under His authority. When they declare to God, “Your kingdom come into my life today,” it is a binding declaration and Jesus will immediately take action. They will hear thoughts in their minds from Jesus. Don’t go that way, go this way. Eat this. It’s what your body needs. Here are clothes for you. I have a career for you. If they walk through their day under His authority everything changes. It is a sacrifice to deny themselves daily.

They follow their own plan every day. Jesus is in authority over them as their King, but their plans are in competition with His plans. Will they give Jesus permission to do what He wants in every area of their life? Eventually they find themselves free of God and only doing what they want to do. They won’t be able to hear His instructions and won’t know His plan at all. They’ll even change their beliefs to accommodate their own choices. Going to more church events won’t change this. It shouldn’t be this way if Jesus is truly the King of their lives. It should be just like what happens in heaven. Jesus is on the throne in everything. They stand in His presence always and He is always on the throne ruling. They surrender each decision to Him and ask Him about everything. He reveals His plans for them and removes their boredom every time He talks to them! His plan will change them forever.

They pursue their own food each day. With their own effort, each day they try to make money and provide their own food. When there isn’t enough the stress can be overwhelming. They should humble themselves. Jesus wants to provide for them in His kingdom. The true blessing is when Jesus is actively involved in providing for them.

Prayer coaching: “God the Father, humble (them) to give honor to Your Name and give honor to Your decisions for their life today. Forgive them for always honoring themselves in their own decision making.”

“Jesus, just like in heaven, humble (them) to submit to you as King of their life. Help them surrender their right to be king of their own life today.”

“Jesus, just like in heaven, humble (them) to surrender their plan for their life, and submit to Your plan for them. Cause (them) to stand in Your presence throughout the day today. Help (them) surrender each decision to You today. Help (them) to ask You about everything. Reveal Your plans for them and remove their boredom every time they talk with you! Change them forever.”

“Jesus, humble them to give you permission to provide for them what they need today. Actively be involved in providing for them, and let them see what you are doing. Be their blessing today.”