Matthew 6 sits at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus forms His disciples in a new way of living under the rule and reign of God. The chapter focuses on giving, praying, and fasting—and Jesus redefines each one in light of His Kingdom. He emphasizes that true righteousness is not performed for human approval but for the Father who “sees in secret.” Jesus moves His listeners away from religious behavior done to impress others and toward relational trust in a Father who delights in responding to His children. This shift in motivation—from performance to intimacy—lays the foundation for Kingdom living.
Midway through the chapter, Jesus pivots to address the orientation of the heart, specifically in relation to treasure, worry, and allegiance. He teaches that where we store our treasure determines the condition of our hearts, that divided vision clouds our spiritual sight, and that serving both God and money is impossible. This naturally transitions into His extended section on anxiety, where He tells His disciples to look at the birds and flowers as reminders of the Father’s daily care. Life in the Kingdom is marked by freedom from worry, not because life is easy, but because the King is trustworthy.
Then, in verse 33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Kingdom-first living is not an extra discipline added to life; it is the reordering of life around the reign of God.
21 Days Of Prayer
For the last few years, we have begun in prayer, and we are doing so again to start this new year.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, PRAY without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“
Let’s start this new year by pursuing the will of God together, seeking Him, and allowing His presence to guide and shape the people we are becoming.
Fasting
Another opportunity to draw closer to God is by fasting during the 21 days. Biblical fasting is voluntarily giving up something that is part of your daily routine in order to draw closer to God. You REPLACE the time you would have spent on what you’re fasting from with God. All through Scripture, God’s people fasted and prayed when they wanted to draw near to God, hear from Him, and seek answers to prayers.
Fasting has always been most closely associated with food. Some will choose to give up food entirely for a certain period of time. Some may choose just one meal per day, not going out to eat at all, or a single food item. Maybe coffee is your morning routine and for 21 days you choose to give that up. You can fast from anything that is part of your daily routine—TV, social media, games, etc. What’s important is that it’s something that will remind you multiple times each day to spend time with God. You don’t just eliminate something, you replace it with Bible reading and prayer.