Give Us Today Our Daily Bread: Your Bread Is Waiting!

In this edition of scripture takes, I will attempt to break down this popular section of the Lord’s prayer. On the surface, it looks plain and straightforward; however, behind these words lie a lot of information Jesus wanted his disciples to know and apply when they gathered to pray as a group or individually. This section is very important largely because in the famous Lord’s prayer, it is the only part that asks for sustenance from God, our Father. I will point out four things this verse teaches and show why they are relevant today. Ready? Let’s get straight to it!

1. Prayer is absolutely necessary and simple.

First off, I want to bring to your attention that this is a part of the Lord’s prayer. It is a prayer for sustenance. You see, sometimes we can get confused and complicate prayer; but prayer shouldn’t be difficult or cumbersome. It only requires that you’re honest with yourself. To acknowledge first that you need God and next that whatever you ask, you’ll receive. So, it’s this simple: If you can see your need for God and his provision for you, then why don’t you go ahead and let him know just that. It’s as easy as saying: God, I need you. Life has been hard, and I need your help! Or God, I don’t know if you’re really there or not. Would you say something, so I know you’re there?

Talking to God should always feel like talking to someone you love and whom you know loves you back, even more.

Prayer is simply being open to God who sees and knows all things concerning you. Talking to God should always feel like talking to someone you love and whom you know loves you back, even more. This casual nature of prayer is revealed in the above verse. God says just walk up and talk to me. Don’t hesitate to talk to him even now. He’s there for all of us and he’s listening.

2. God provides daily.

I already shared about the need for food in our lives (check it out here). To summarize, I explained how food is absolutely necessary for life and work: without food we won’t have the energy we need for work, and an extreme lack of food can be fatal. Parents know this and therefore try to make sure their children do not go too long without food. Myself, I remember how furious my mom got whenever I didn’t eat for a while. God, being our father, also understands the value of food for us. As a result, he apportions for each day what we need. He knows exactly how much you require to be satisfied and makes provision for it. Often times, we may find ourselves wondering if God cares at all. The truth is he does, and his dedication to providing for us daily, ensures that he doesn’t take his eyes off of us.

Let your individual prayers, be a helping hand to others!

3. The us part is very important.

When Jesus taught this prayer, he knew that the apostles (then disciples) will be praying alone most of the time, just like he did. However, he taught them to pray, being conscious of the us part. He could have showed them to pray give me today my daily bread, but he didn’t. Instead, he reinforced us. I believe this was deliberate because Jesus probably wanted to ensure that the apostles remembered they were not the only ones God cares for. He wanted us to know that we are not lone wolves but a part of a bigger body of believers. He wanted us to think of other believers as a part of us. Like Paul said, we are different parts of one body (1 Corinthians 12:12). So next time you ask for a blessing or sustenance from God, do remember people around you and intercede for them as well. Let your individual prayers, be a helping hand to others!

4. Bread is not always bread.

The last thing I want to point out is the fact that bread in the above prayer is not always food made of flour, water, and yeast or another leavening agent, mixed together and baked. Like I’ve mentioned before, man is a spirit. Accordingly, our complete wellbeing requires that our spirits and souls (minds and emotions) are well-taken care of and not merely satisfying our stomachs. Today, if you’re depressed or feeling weak, hopeless or helpless, don’t fret. Your bread is waiting. All you have to do is go get it. Say an honest prayer to God, look up to him and he’ll deliver with perfect timing.

These are some of the insights I believe lie hidden within the prayer give us today our daily bread. God is always listening to your prayers for sustenance. I trust these insights will embolden you to approach God with your needs and receive answers that will help you to live life to its fullest!