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How many times have you despaired when you didn't see any way out of a desperate situation; you didn't see a path forward? I know there have been several times in my life when I have felt that way. In the explanation of the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer (Give us this day our daily bread), Luther, in his Small Catechism, says that God gives us our "daily bread" even without our praying for it. But Luther says that we should pray that God causes us to recognize what our "daily bread" is and to receive it with thanksgiving. He says our "daily bread" includes everything we need for our bodies, including nourishment, family, and community. Notice he doesn't say everything we want, but everything we need.
When we pray, we should trust that God will lead us down the right path. Many times, I haven't thought my prayers were answered, but when I look back, I see there was something that helped me to choose the right path. Think back over your life and think what would have happened if you hadn't made the choices you did. You wouldn't be the person you are today. We just need to pray to God to show us the right path, and to give us the patience and perseverance to stay on track.
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