“Give us this day our daily bread” Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3
“Give us this day our daily bread”, such a simple phrase that rolls of our tongues with little thought, but what does it mean for those of us in a culture where even a mere child can afford to buy bread for themselves. Is this line of the “Lord’s Prayer” relevant to us today or…does it speak to more than mere provision and sustenance?
A missionary to Haiti once said, “American Christians have everything they need,” she continued, “If they don’t pray or read the Bible for weeks, it makes little difference in their daily lives. They still have food to eat, a place to sleep, regular income. They don’t need to practice their faith every day.”
A sad observation indeed but I would strongly disagree with that missionary’s statement. I do believe these seven simple words speak a deeper need within each of us and to an attitude of the heart. A heart that is humble and acknowledges that all things in our lives come from the hand of our Father in Heaven. It is no coincidence this line is sandwiched between the declaration of God’s sovereignty and how His people should live.
In the 2nd century, this line was translated to mean “continual bread”, bread that never runs out. The 4th century Latin Vulgate translated it "super-substantially", spiritualizing the meaning of “bread” as a symbol for Jesus or Communion. By 1526, Tyndale translated it to “our daily bread” focusing on the needs of the common persons of his day. This meaning was further solidified by the 1611 King James translation which translated this phrase to mean day-to-day trust rather than some of the more complex theological interpretations of the past. I wonder, what deeper things this simple line is inviting us to consider that we may be missing when we allow these words to pass by our lips thoughtlessly?
If we continue reading on in the chapter, we discover that shortly after Jesus offers this prayer to His disciples, He goes on to speak to them about not being anxious but to seek first His Kingdom and Righteousness and ALL these things will be given to them as well (Matthew 6:25-33). As I sit with this line in the context of scripture around it, I have come to understand that this request for daily bread is not simply about my physical provision. It is about pausing, reflecting, and intentionally acknowledging that my Father in heaven desires to provide for my other, less tangible needs as well!! The needs of my body, mind, soul, and spirit. He desires, like every good parent, to provide for all of me…practically, emotionally, and relationally.
Yes, it speaks to God meeting the basic food and provisions we need, not necessarily our wants, to live. He is the ultimate provider inviting us to rely on Him and not our self-sufficiency. Striving, straining, chasing after those things that only wear us out and have no eternal value.
It speaks to living day by day, in humility, trusting God for His grace and provision today, not worrying unnecessarily about the future, thus stealing the blessing and joy of today.
It speaks also of the Spiritual food we need to thrive in this world. Jesus is the Bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger that once we have eaten of it, we continue to long for more of it…He is the Living Water that quenches our dry and thirsty souls and once we have drunk deeply, we thirst for more…more of Him generously given through the outpouring of His Spirit into each of us who asks. Acknowledging our need to our Father in Heaven for “Our Daily Bread” fulfills our hungers and thirsts in ways nothing in our affluent society ever can.
“The petition, “Give us this day our daily bread”, is a prayer of humble dependence, asking God to sustain us day to day. Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that bread serves as a symbol of God’s provision for His people, rooted in His miraculous feeding of Israel in the wilderness. This prayer encourages believers to bring specific needs before God as our Father who has invited us to go to Him and ask Him for our daily bread. He will not fail to provide it.” (Ligonier.com-Nov.2020)
When we ask God for our daily bread, we are humbly acknowledging Him as the sole, generous provider of all we need. We are intentionally living day by day in the moments He has ordained for us. We are choosing to live by simple faith in Him alone, trusting He will provide just what we need, when we need it – for every area of life. Sustaining us and our hearts for all the days we walk on this earth and on into eternity. Yes Jesus, give us today our daily bread according to Your knowledge of just what we need for today, thank you, and Amen.
Fondly,
Melody
