Lord's Prayer: Give Us TodayНамуна

Praying “Give us today our daily bread” is an acknowledgement. It’s a way Jesus directs us to see all that we are and all that we have comes from God.

Some assume it’s all up to them. They have to obsess. Any break, any chance, any hope at survival ultimately comes down to them. It makes some desperate. Rich and poor alike can fall into this mindset. Working and scrambling with a frenzied tenacity, hoarding like life depends on it, and stomping over anyone who gets in the way in their quest to obtain life’s few scarce resources. It makes others smug. Success comes easy, and with assured self-certainty, they praise themselves for what they’ve achieved while holding a certain contempt or disdain for others who have not.

It’s easy to think that if you don’t know God.

Jesus has a different point of view. He knows God is the creator of all things, so everything we enjoy ultimately comes from God. Sometimes God gives directly, whether miraculously or through the natural systems he’s built into our world that provide. Sometimes God gives through others – an individual person, or a collection of people like a family, church, government, or economy. And sometimes he gives through our own God-given abilities that allow us to provide for ourselves or take advantage of opportunities he’s put before us. No matter how we receive, it ultimately starts with God.

Praying “Give us this day our daily bread” acknowledges that. With a posture of humility born out of the sober realization of just how fragile we are and how the slightest change in any number of factors could alter things drastically, it’s a prayer that thanks God for providing, protecting, and giving opportunity. Seeing God as the author of our daily bread leads to contentment. Generosity, too.

Consider this today…

What are some things you’ve earned, own, or achieved? What are some of your abilities that bring you comfort or blessing? How about some of the opportunities that came along and made all the difference? Take a moment to recognize God’s hand in these. Pray “Give us today our daily bread” as a prayer of submission and grateful acknowledgment.