What Are You Seeking First? Following Jesus and Praying from the Edges.

What Are You Seeking First?

Pastor Calvin Cook

September 22, 2026 — Day 12 of 30

Praying for God’s Kingdom

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”— Matthew 6:33

Yesterday, we prayed, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done—beginning in me.”

Today, Jesus leads us to another question: What are we seeking first?

Matthew 6:33 comes during Jesus’ teaching about worry. He speaks about food, clothing, tomorrow, and the everyday concerns people carry. Jesus understands that we have responsibilities. He knows we need to provide for our families, make decisions, pay bills, care for our health, and plan for the future. Jesus does not say these things are unimportant. He tells us they must not become the controlling focus of our lives.

“Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness!”

The word first is the challenge. What does first mean. The Greek word translated “first” is prōton. It means first in order, rank, and importance—before everything else and above everything else. Jesus is not asking us to give His Kingdom a place on our list. He is calling us to make His Kingdom the priority that orders the entire list.

Here is something very revealing as well: the Greek word for seek means to “seek,” “desire,” “pursue,” or “strive after.” It is a present imperative, carrying the idea of ongoing action: “Keep seeking first the Kingdom of God.”

Learning this morning that Jesus was not saying to His followers and is not saying to us today. “Think about God briefly at the beginning of the day, and then move on to other things.” He is saying: Continually give God’s Kingdom the highest priority in every part of your life.

It is easy to say that God comes first while allowing everything else to receive our first attention. We reach for our phones before we pray. We begin the day thinking about problems before remembering God’s promises. We make plans and then ask God to bless what we have already decided.

Sometimes God receives whatever time, energy, or resources remain after everything else has taken its share. But Jesus is not asking to be added somewhere within our lives. He calls us to place that we recognize and set our hearts on the Kingdom of God first.

Seeking God’s Kingdom first does not mean we pray for a few minutes and then leave God behind as we continue through the day. It means His will becomes the center around which everything else is happens.

His Kingdom shapes how we treat our families, conduct our businesses, lead our churches, spend our money, use our time, speak to others, and respond when life does not go according to plan.

Seeking God’s righteousness means we desire more than success, comfort, recognition, or control. We desire to live rightly before God and in right relationship with others.

I really feel the urging to ask some difficult questions? Is there problems in your family? Are your relationships strained? Finances out of Wack a struggle? How are you facing health concerns? Addiction has taken over your life? Our communities are in trouble? Evil seems to have taken over? Churches struggling? Personal inner conflict?

This requires us to ask more difficult questions that need an honest personal answer: Where is God in these situations? Are you even recognizing God’s presence? Do my decisions reflect the character of Jesus? Am I seeking what advances God’s Kingdom or only what benefits me? Do my words bring truth and grace, or deepen anger and division? Am I using what God has entrusted to me for His purposes? Have my worries become greater than my trust?  Jesus connects seeking the Kingdom with trusting our Father. He reminds us that God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers. If God cares for them, He certainly knows what His children need. But are you receiving what God is giving?

This does not mean believers will never experience hardship, financial struggles, illness, or uncertainty. It means those circumstances do not have to rule our hearts. We can face real needs while trusting the Father who already knows them.

Worry tells us that everything depends upon us. Kingdom faith reminds us that everything ultimately belongs to God. Seeking first the Kingdom brings our lives back into proper order. God is first. Everything else finds its rightful place beneath His authority. We still work, plan, save, build, and take responsibility. But we do these things prayerfully. We hold our plans with open hands and remain willing for the Holy Spirit to redirect us.

Before asking, “What do I want to accomplish today?” we begin with a different question:

“Lord, what are You doing, and how can I participate?” God’s Kingdom is not another item on our list. It is the purpose that reshapes the entire list.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for saying that You are first while allowing other concerns to receive my first attention.

Teach me to seek Your Kingdom and righteousness before my comfort, success, recognition, or control. Bring my schedule, relationships, work, finances, ministry, and plans under Your authority.

When I am worried, remind me that You know what I need. Give me wisdom to fulfill my responsibilities without allowing fear to rule my heart.

Show me where You are already working and how I can participate. Rearrange anything within my life that has fallen out of Kingdom order.

Today, I choose to seek You first.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s prayer step: Before looking at your phone, schedule, messages, or list of responsibilities, spend five quiet minutes with God. Pray, “Lord, what are You doing today, and how can I participate?” Write down whatever the Holy Spirit brings to your attention, and make that your first faithful step.