A Devotional Thought
by Pastor Bill Williams
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
This week as we continue meditating on the “Lord’s Prayer,” we come to a transition point in Jesus’ teaching as Jesus introduces the next petition in his prayer, “Give us today our daily bread.” This crucial subject is easily interpreted as “Lord, please meet all of my daily physical needs.” It sounds like the nation of Israel in Exodus chapters 15-16. There is much more to explore within this verse, let’s look at it once again.
As a child, when praying the Lord’s Prayer, I was taught to ask God to meet my daily needs. But rarely did I entertain the thought that God had more in mind than to meet just my physical needs alone. Our eternal, immortal, loving God has a much larger plan in mind for his children. I imagine as Jesus was teaching, He was thinking, “Men, women, you don’t have a full understanding of all the blessings I have in store for you.” The apostle Paul helps fill-in those blanks when he passed on this heavenly message to us in 1 Corinthians 2:29. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
Wow! Our Heavenly Father has prepared for His children, His inheritance (see Ephesians 1:13; John 1:12-13) a multitude of blessings that provide for our physical needs and for our spiritual needs as well. I want to challenge you to take a few moments to meditate on your needs. I suggest you use a piece of notebook paper and divide it in half. On one side list your physical needs and on the other half your spiritual needs. Now, as you begin thinking through your list, ask Christ Jesus to speak to you about your list. What is there on your list that demands priority?
As you know, there has been much said about God meeting our physical needs, which He does. Now, it’s time to allow God to deal with our spiritual needs. Ask for increased perseverance in prayer. Ask for strength in dealing with life’s difficulties, maybe with a family member, or a friend. Ask to be the light and salt to your family, friends or community. Finally, ask Jesus to increase your understanding and application of praying for your daily needs.
Our Heavenly Father has promised to meet our needs (read Matthew 6:25-34). When praying The Lord’s Prayer, be mindful that it underscores adoration of the Heavenly Father and de-emphasizes self-talk. Remember these words yet to come in the Sermon on the Mount. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
In your prayer time today and going forward, take time to thank God for all the ways he is meeting your daily needs: food, drink, home, friends, health care, income, clothes, (and that’s just a warm-up). Ask God to continue to provide for your daily physical and emotional needs. Trust those needs to God so that you do not need to worry about them. ALSO, ask God to meet your daily spiritual needs. What are those needs? Pray for them? Pray that God will fill you to the full with His presence, ask God to transform your mind and attitudes so that you think, act and respond to people and circumstances as Jesus would.
