Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
The next petition in immensely practical, though having important theological implications.
What could be more practical that asking God to supply our basic needs? Though the prayer mentions bread, we can easily see that bread is a representation of any and all our needs.
Theologically, the prayer reminds us of a basic reality that we frequently forget. What reality is that? Everything—including our basic daily needs—comes to us from the benevolent hand of God. God warned the Israelites of this fact in Deuteronomy 8:11-20. He foretold that once they moved into the Promised Land, and were enjoying the abundance of the land, they would forget that it was only theirs by the grace of God. Instead of thanking Him, they would forget Him while congratulating themselves for all they had done to acquire such prosperity.
We tend to do the same forgetting that even when we have worked hard to accomplish a thing, we only had the knowledge, will, and strength by the grace of God. Therefore, asking God to supply our most basic needs is a great reminder to thank Him when we receive them.
A second theological lesson to be noted is that we are to ask every day for what we need that day. Honestly, how often are we unaware from where the day’s provision will come? We are generally so blessed that we often only think to pray about our basic needs when we are in a crisis of scarcity. We can thank God for supplying so abundantly, and we would do well to remember to pray every day for God’s provision if only to give thanks for His generosity.
And while we are at it, may we who have so much, pray for the many in the world who have so little. And we might also ask how the Lord might be pleased to use us in our abundance to share with those who are less fortunate.