Jesus gave his disciples an example of acceptable prayer, and we should note that this puts God’s reverence first, “Hallowed be thy name” v.9,Waiting for response for Matthew 6:9 the performance of his will second: “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” v.10,Waiting for response for Matthew 6:10 and only after these comes the expression of our own desires. The prayer has been, and is still, repeated by millions of people, but how many of these really look forward to the re-establishment of God’s kingdom in Israel and to the time when God’s will is to be done in earth as it is in heaven?
So many have been misled into looking for a reward different to that taught in the Bible. A common misconception is that God has promised heaven-going to the faithful. He has never made such a promise, but some take passages out of context in support of this idea, fatally “wresting” God’s word to force a meaning which is denied in the rest of scripture. An example of this is the wresting of these verses. It is assumed that if the reward is stored in heaven then we must go there to enjoy it, whereas it is only “stored” there awaiting the return of Jesus who will bring it with him Revelation 22:12.Waiting for response for Revelation 22:12
The promised reward is so exceedingly more desirable than anything we might gain in this life that Jesus counsels us not to seek after the things that mankind naturally seeks, but: ”... seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” v.33.Waiting for response for Matthew 6:33
In this chapter Jesus teaches us how to give alms, pray, fast and serve God, and he relates these religious practices to the reward God will give to those who worship him faithfully, but which he will withhold from those who fail in this respect.