Part of: The Father Heart of God – D.A.D. Series
Focus: Depend (Part 3 of 3)
Core Message: Trust brings provision; friendship fuels faith—God supplies all your needs as you seek Him first.
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33
Personal Story: The House We Couldn’t Afford
There was a season when my family needed a home, but we had no way to afford one. The numbers didn’t add up. Our income was insufficient, our savings were limited, and by every practical measure, homeownership was out of reach.
I remember the anxiety that kept me awake at night—the worry about providing for my family, the fear of failure, the weight of feeling like it all depended on me. I prayed, but honestly, I was trusting more in my own ability to “make it work” than in God’s ability to provide.
Then one day, I felt the Father whisper: “Seek Me first. Stop trying to control this. Trust Me.”
So we did. We stopped striving. We stopped worrying. We started praying, “Father, we need a home, but we trust You. We seek Your kingdom first, and we believe You’ll add what we need.”
And He did. In ways we couldn’t have orchestrated, doors opened. Provision came from unexpected sources. What seemed impossible became reality—not because of our effort, but because of His faithfulness.
Standing in that house, I realized something profound: Dependence is not weakness; it’s partnership with God. When we trust Him with our needs and seek Him first, He provides in ways that go beyond our ability to plan or produce.
Jesus said it clearly in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This is the heart of a Father who knows what you need before you ask and delights in providing for His children.
Key Scripture
Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Jesus isn’t telling you to be irresponsible or passive. He’s inviting you into a life of trust-filled dependence where you seek God first and watch Him faithfully provide. Your Heavenly Father knows your needs. He cares about the practical details of your life. And He promises to supply what you need as you prioritize His kingdom.
Signs of a Broken “Dependence” Relationship
You may have a broken view of dependence if you:
1. Worry and anxiety dominate your life
- You constantly stress about money, food, clothing, or the future
- You lose sleep over what might go wrong
- You believe: “If I don’t control everything, it will all fall apart”
2. Rely on your own strength instead of God’s provision
- You rarely pray for daily needs because “God helps those who help themselves”
- You believe your success comes solely from your hard work
- You believe: “My success comes from my hard work, not God’s blessing”
3. Struggle to believe God cares about your practical needs
- You view God as distant or unconcerned with finances, health, or daily struggles
- You only pray about “spiritual” things, not practical needs
- You believe: “God has bigger things to worry about than my problems”
4. Hoard or live with a scarcity mindset
- You hold tightly to resources out of fear there won’t be enough
- You can’t be generous because you’re afraid you might need it later
- You believe: “I can’t be generous because I might need it later”
5. Prayer feels like last resort, not daily dependence
- You only pray when desperate, not as a regular rhythm of trust
- Prayer is something you do when everything else fails
- You believe: “Prayer is for emergencies, not everyday life”
6. Compare your provision to others’
- You feel jealous, inadequate, or resentful when others have more
- You question God’s goodness when others seem more blessed
- You believe: “God blesses others but forgets me”
Replacing Lies with Truth
Truth #1: God Knows Your Needs and Will Provide
The Lie: “God doesn’t care about my practical needs.”
The Truth:
Matthew 6:31-32
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all”
Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. He’s not distant or unconcerned. He sees every need—financial, physical, emotional, relational. Nothing escapes His attention.
Matthew 6:25-26
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
If God feeds the birds, how much more will He provide for you, His beloved child? You are far more valuable to Him than sparrows.
Psalm 23:1
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”
When God is your Shepherd, you lack nothing. He leads, provides, protects, and sustains.
Psalm 34:10
“Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing”
When you seek Him, you lack no good thing. God doesn’t withhold what is truly good for you.
Truth #2: God Supplies All Your Needs According to His Riches
The Lie: “I have to provide for myself. God won’t come through.”
The Truth:
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”
God doesn’t supply from His leftovers—He supplies according to His riches in glory. He’s not running out. He’s not short on resources. His provision flows from infinite abundance.
2 Corinthians 9:10
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness”
God doesn’t just give you what you need for today—He multiplies it so you can sow into tomorrow. He increases your capacity to be generous.
Deuteronomy 8:18
“You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to make wealth”
Even your ability to work is a gift from God. Your success is not self-made—it’s God-enabled.
Genesis 22:14
“The LORD will provide”
This has been God’s name and nature from the beginning—Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
Truth #3: Seek First His Kingdom, and All Things Will Be Added
The Lie: “I need to secure my future first, then I’ll seek God.”
The Truth:
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”
The order matters: Seek God first, and everything else falls into place. When you prioritize His kingdom, He adds what you need. When you prioritize provision, you lose both.
Matthew 6:11
“Give us this day our daily bread”
Jesus taught us to pray for daily provision, not stockpiled security. God gives you what you need for today, teaching you to trust Him one day at a time.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will burst with new wine”
When you honor God first with your resources, He blesses the rest. Generosity unlocks provision.
Truth #4: Worry Accomplishes Nothing; Trust Accomplishes Everything
The Lie: “If I don’t worry, I’m being irresponsible.”
The Truth:
Matthew 6:27
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Worry accomplishes nothing. It doesn’t change your circumstances, extend your life, or improve your situation. It only steals your peace.
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”
Today has enough challenges without borrowing tomorrow’s worries. Trust God one day at a time.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
The antidote to anxiety is prayer with thanksgiving. When you bring your needs to God, His peace guards your heart.
Truth #5: You Are Dependent on God for Everything
The Lie: “I’m self-made. I don’t need God to provide.”
The Truth:
John 15:5
“Apart from me you can do nothing”
Every breath, every ability, every success—all of it comes from God. You are not self-made; you are God-sustained.
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights”
Every good thing in your life is a gift from the Father. Nothing is earned independently; everything is received gratefully.
Acts 17:28
“In him we live and move and have our being”
Your very existence depends on God. You are utterly dependent, and that’s exactly where God wants you—trusting, relying, and leaning on Him.
Hebrews 13:5
“I will never leave you nor forsake you”
God’s presence is His promise. He will never abandon you, never leave you to fend for yourself. He is with you, and He is faithful.
Daily Declarations
Speak these truths aloud each morning to renew your mind:
- “My Heavenly Father knows every need I have. He will provide.” (Matthew 6:32)
- “God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- “I seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things are added to me.” (Matthew 6:33)
- “I will not worry about tomorrow. God gives me daily bread for each day.” (Matthew 6:34, 6:11)
- “The LORD is my Shepherd. I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
- “I trust in the LORD with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
- “Every good gift comes from the Father. He withholds no good thing from me.” (James 1:17, Psalm 34:10)
- “I am dependent on God for everything—my breath, my strength, and my provision.” (Acts 17:28, Deuteronomy 8:18)
- “God will never leave me nor forsake me. He is faithful to provide.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- “I pray with thanksgiving, and the peace of God guards my heart and mind.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Healing Prayers
Prayer #1: Releasing Worry and Anxiety
“Abba Father, I confess that I have carried the weight of worry and anxiety. I have believed the lie that my provision depends on me alone. I have feared the future, doubted Your goodness, and tried to control what only You can control.
Forgive me for not trusting You. Forgive me for living as if You are not enough.
Today, I release my worries to You. I surrender my need to control. I choose to trust that You are my Shepherd, and I shall not want. You know what I need before I ask. You care for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field—how much more will You care for me, Your beloved child?
I declare: I will not be anxious. I will trust in Your provision. You are faithful, and You will supply all my needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayer #2: Embracing Daily Dependence on God
“Heavenly Father, I confess that I have relied on my own strength, my own wisdom, and my own resources. I have lived as if I am self-sufficient, forgetting that every breath I take, every ability I have, and every blessing I receive comes from Your hand.
Forgive me for my pride and self-reliance. Forgive me for not praying daily for Your provision.
Today, I embrace my dependence on You. I acknowledge that apart from You, I can do nothing. I ask You now: Give me this day my daily bread. Teach me to trust You one day at a time, not hoarding out of fear but living generously out of faith.
I declare: I depend on You for everything. You are the source of all I have and all I need. I trust You to provide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayer #3: Seeking First the Kingdom of God
“Father, I confess that I have often put my own plans, my own comfort, and my own security ahead of Your Kingdom. I have sought after things instead of seeking after You.
Forgive me for making provision my priority instead of making You my priority. Forgive me for believing that my success comes from my efforts rather than Your blessing.
Today, I reorder my life. I seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. I trust that as I pursue You, You will add all the things I need according to Your perfect will.
I declare: I seek You first. I trust that You will provide everything I need as I walk in obedience and faith. My treasure is in heaven, and my trust is in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayer #4: Trusting God’s Riches in Christ Jesus
“Abba Father, thank You that You are not a God of scarcity but a God of abundance. Your Word says You will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I renounce the lie that there is not enough. I renounce comparison, jealousy, and fear. I receive the truth: You own everything. You are the God who provides. You have never failed, and You will not start with me.
I trust You to meet my needs—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational. I trust You to give me daily bread, wisdom for decisions, strength for challenges, and grace for each moment.
I declare: My God supplies all my needs. I lack no good thing. I am provided for by the Father who loves me and cares for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayer #5: Living with a Generous, Trusting Heart
“Father, You have been so generous to me. You did not spare Your own Son but gave Him up for me—how will You not also graciously give me all things?
I confess that I have held tightly to what You’ve given me out of fear. I have hoarded instead of trusted. I have been stingy instead of generous.
Today, I choose to live with open hands. I trust that as I give generously, You will continue to provide generously. I trust that You are faithful to those who honor You with their wealth and seek You first.
I declare: I am generous because my Father is generous. I trust His provision, so I do not cling to what He’s given me. I steward well, give freely, and trust fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Practical Application
This Week’s Challenge:
1. Daily Bread Prayer
Each morning, pray Matthew 6:11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Ask God for specific provision you need today, and thank Him at the end of the day for how He provided.
2. Seek First Journal
Write down your top three priorities each day. Are you seeking God’s kingdom first, or are other things taking priority? Make one adjustment each day to reorder your life around seeking Him first.
3. Generous Trust Step
Identify one area where you’ve been holding tightly out of fear (money, time, resources). Take one step of generosity this week as an act of trust in God’s provision.
Reflection Questions
- What worry or anxiety have you been carrying that you need to release to God today?
- In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of depending on God?
- How would your life change if you truly believed God knows your needs and will provide?
- What does it mean practically to “seek first the kingdom of God” in your daily life? What would that look like this week?
Small Group Discussion
Opening Question:
Share about a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. How did it increase your trust in Him?
Digging Deeper:
- Read Matthew 6:25-34 together. What does this passage reveal about the Father’s heart toward you? Why does Jesus command us not to be anxious?
- Which of the “broken dependence” symptoms resonated most with you? Why is it hard to depend on God in that area?
- What’s the difference between worrying about provision and being responsible? How do we steward well while still trusting fully?
- How can we help each other move from anxiety to trust, from self-reliance to God-dependence?
Closing:
Pray for one another’s specific needs. Ask God to provide, and thank Him in advance for His faithfulness. Commit to checking in with each other throughout the week to share testimonies of God’s provision.
Series Complete: You’ve finished the D.A.D. series! Review all three sessions and ask: How has my view of the Father’s heart changed? What’s one way I’ll live differently because of what I’ve learned?
