21 Days: Day 17

Hey Be Hope! Welcome back to another day of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I really hope this time has been meaningful for you as we’ve journeyed together over the past couple of weeks. My name is Taylor, and I get to serve on the Production and Creative Team here at Be Hope.Today, I want to share from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 9–13 — a passage many of us know well: The Lord’s Prayer. In this moment, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray:“Our Father, who art 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,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”This is a prayer many of us have heard countless times, but today I want to focus on two key parts — and we’ll start from the end and work backward.“Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done”This line has always been powerful — and honestly, dangerous — for me to pray. What Jesus is inviting us into here is surrender: a willingness to let the work of our Father in heaven be done through us on earth.That changes everything — the way we talk, the way we act, and the way we carry the culture of heaven to the world around us. It’s a reminder that none of us are truly ready or qualified to do God’s work, yet He still chooses to use imperfect people like you and me to carry out His mission.When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we are saying, “God, have Your way in me — even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it costs me something.”A few months ago, my wife and I decided to move to the Dayton area to join the team here at Be Hope. It was a big step — leaving behind our friends and the place we felt comfortable. Honestly, I didn’t know exactly what God was doing. But in that moment of uncertainty, both of us heard Him clearly say: “Trust Me. I will sustain you. I will lead you. I will guide you.”That’s what this part of the prayer means. When Jesus says, “Give us this day our daily bread,” He’s reminding us that God is our ultimate source — our sustainer and provider. He gives us exactly what we need for today. Not always what we want, not always the whole picture — but enough for today.And I believe the same is true for you. God is calling you to something bigger than you can imagine, and He’s saying, “Trust Me. I am your daily bread. I will sustain you and guide you.”Your Challenge TodayAs you pray the Lord’s Prayer today (Matthew 6:9–13), focus on these two lines:“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”“Give us this day our daily bread.”Ask God:What are You calling me to that only You can sustain me for?Am I truly ready to pray, “Your will be done,” and mean it?Prayer:God, we love You so much. Thank You for all that You do for us. We trust that Your ways are better than ours. We believe You lead our paths and provide everything we need. As we step into the next season of life — whatever that looks like — sustain us, guide us, and be our daily bread.We love You, and we thank You for who You are and what You mean to us.In Jesus’ name, Amen.