Matthew 6:6-13
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”
I did not grow up with praying parents but, to their credit, they did send me to a Christian school my first two years of education, for which I am thankful. It was there that I was instructed in some of the basics, including The Lord’s Prayer which comes to mind often when I lay in bed unable to sleep. On those evenings, I recite Jesus’ prayer, and it calms my heart and settles my mind, enabling me to turn off my brain and shut out the cares of the world.
When Jesus was asked by His disciples how they should pray, He gave them a simple but profound model for prayer which included asking for God to provide for their “daily bread.” Does Jesus also care about other needs besides bread—shelter, clothing, and means to earn money for those needs? Of course!
• Daily bread includes the necessities of life and the means to earn it. We should pray and thank the Lord for His provision of our daily needs for healthy food, a roof over our head, clothing, and anything else that falls under the “needs” category. Pray and thank Him for your job that provides good, honest work.
• Daily bread includes our spiritual food, God’s Word. We should thank God for His Word and pray that we would make it a priority to read and study it so that we know how to live according to His laws.
• Daily bread includes those in the Church, God’s family all over the world, and our local church community. Thank Him for our church family and pray that we would be faithful to attend church, receive the communion of bread and wine, and to be involved in the building of relationships within the body, and without, where we can serve in His name. Pray that we would always be sensitive to the needs of others and lift those needs to the Father.
• Daily bread includes our salvation through Jesus, the Bread of Life. Let us thank Jesus for our relationship with Him. If you have not already done so, pray to receive His gift of eternal life, that comes by your placing faith in Jesus.
We should also thank Him for the Holy Spirit and pray for a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit, so that we shine the light of Christ in a dark world. His Word reminds us, “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Call to Him, dear readers, to ask Him for His provision. He is waiting and listening for the voice of each heart.
Our Father, we offer our praise and thanks to You today for always inclining Your ear to hear us. As we offer our supplications to You may we be ready to receive Your daily bread, according to Your will, which is all we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
