Monday September 21, 2026- Devotional

LEARNING TO WANT GOD FIRST

Scripture- Luke 11:1

Devotional: Think about the people you are closest to. Those relationships grew through time, conversation, trust, and simply showing up. Our relationship with God grows the same way.

The disciples had watched Jesus perform miracles. They had seen Him heal the sick, teach with authority, and change lives. Yet when they asked Jesus to teach them something, they didn't ask for power, influence, or strategy. They asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

They recognized something important: Jesus' public life flowed from His private relationship with the Father. There was something about watching Jesus pray that made them want to know the God He was praying to.

Prayer is more than asking God for things. Prayer is an invitation to know Him. We can easily approach God because of what we need from Him—His provision, protection, guidance, healing, or answers. But prayer invites us to go deeper. Before asking God to change our circumstances, we can ask Him to deepen our relationship with Him. That begins with a simple prayer: “Lord, I want You.”

When you start there, something begins to change. Your priorities begin to change because you stop focusing only on what you need and begin focusing on who you need. You begin seeking God's will instead of simply asking God to fulfill yours.

Your perspective begins to change. Your problems may not disappear, but you begin to see them through the lens of God's presence and faithfulness. You may enter prayer anxious and leave with peace. You may enter confused and leave with direction. The situation may not immediately change, but you can begin to see the situation differently.

And most importantly, your prayer life becomes a relationship. You stop coming to God only with a list of requests and begin learning to sit with Him, listen to Him, worship Him, and enjoy His presence.

There is a difference between wanting God's hand and wanting God's heart. We can become so focused on what God can do, provide, or fix that we forget to simply desire Him. But prayer begins when our hearts can say, “Lord, before I need anything from You, I need You.”

That doesn't mean we stop bringing our requests to God. We should bring our needs, our pain, our families, our dreams, and our concerns to Him. But before we ask God for another blessing, perhaps we should ask Him for a deeper desire for the Blesser. Maybe there is something you've been praying about for a long time. Keep praying. But today, add this prayer: “Lord, make me want You more than I want the answer.”

You may not feel as close to God as you would like. Your prayer life may have been inconsistent. But you are not too far away to begin again.

Start where you are. Come honestly. Show up. Seek His presence before His presents. And let your first prayer be: “Lord, I want You.”

Because when you want God first, your priorities can change, your perspective can change, and your prayer can become more than a request—it can become a relationship.

Reflection

If you are honest with yourself, are you pursuing God for who He is, or mostly for what He can provide?

Today’s Practice

Spend five quiet minutes with God today without asking Him for anything. Simply thank Him for who He is. Then slowly pray: “Lord, I want You.”

Quote

“Prayer begins with wanting God.”

Prayer

Lord, teach me to want You more than I want the things I ask You for. Deepen my desire for Your presence above all else. Change my priorities, renew my perspective, and deepen my relationship with You. Help me seek Your heart before Your hand, Your will before my wishes, and Your presence before Your presents. Today, Lord, I don't just want what You can give me. I want You. Teach me to pray—not simply to receive from You, but to know You more deeply. In Jesus Name, Amen.