“’Give Us Today Our Daily Bread’”

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:9-15

None of us can survive in this world apart from provisions that are outside of ourselves. God, the Creator of the universe, is the one who provides us with everything we need. Prayer connects us to the God of all supply, just like an umbilical cord.

Jesus encouraged us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” In His day, bread was the basic staple of life and pictured all the daily needs of the people. Jesus was teaching us to pray not only for our physical needs but also for everything we need – comfort, healing, courage, wisdom.

Through prayer we have access to Him at any moment, and He knows what we need before we even ask. What might you be struggling with today? “The Lord is near to all who call on him.”

Prayer is the voice of faith, trusting that God knows and cares.

Our Daily Bread – January 7, 2017