“Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11, ESV)
Following the model prayer of our Lord, we start our prayers concerned with heaven and high theology. We pray about the fatherhood of God, His heavenly abode, His holiness, His kingdom, and His will.
Then comes the transitional line, “…on earth as it is in heaven.” We don't want all these truths to stay in heaven. We want them to be manifested on earth. That means things need to get practical. God's fatherhood, holiness, kingdom, and will are going to be worked out in our real, practical, earthy lives. These practical elements will take up the rest of the prayer. And it starts with daily bread.
Give us. We are recipients in this exchange. After all, if God is our heavenly Father and His kingdom is coming from heaven to earth, it is only natural to anticipate our provision from Him. This doesn't mean provisions will fall from the sky like manna. God uses means. But through all of our work and pursuit of provision, we understand it is His hand that is providing through it.
This day. The Lord instructs us to pray one day at a time. Sure, we can pray for future needs. But we often get carried away. We can be guilty of living in tomorrow like today doesn't exist. The weight of our prayers should be focused on the day before us. That is the only day we have guaranteed. As for the future, there is great rest in leaving that where it belongs - in the Lord's hands.
Our daily bread. This bread refers to both physical needs and spiritual needs. We are to ask Him in faith to meet our needs each day and thank Him as He does. This keeps us mindful of just how much the Lord sustains us. Bread is so basic, yet so necessary. Unless God provides even your basic needs, you cannot survive. And even in those basic things, we should remember His provision.
Do you have food to eat today? Do you have life within you? Thank God for His gracious provision and pray for continued grace.