Wednesday, November 8, 2017

November 9, 2017

"Give us today our daily bread." - Matthew 6:11


These six simple words hold the keys to a life of joy and satisfaction. 

These six simple words tell you that YOU HAVE A PRAYER to find what you need at the deepest levels of your life!

When properly interpreted within the context of the Lord's Prayer you will discover four prayers within this phrase!

The first prayer within this prayer that leads to satisfaction is found in the word "GIVE" and it is a prayer of gratitude for all of God's blessings. 

How is that?

Think about it, when you pray asking God to "GIVE" you are acknowledging Him as a giver. And not just A giver but THE giver! And as THE giver He is the source of your blessings! Everything good in your life (physically, spiritually and emotionally) comes from Him!

"But, I work hard for what I have! No one gives me anything!"

I would ask you, "Who gave you life?"

I would ask, "Who gives you health and strength to work?"

I would ask, "Who provided your job for you?"

I would ask, "Who caused you to be born in a free and prosperous nation where jobs flourish and opportunities abound?"

God delights in providing for your needs and delights in you asking Him and trusting Him to meet those needs.

Asking God to "GIVE" your daily bread acknowledges your dependence on Him.

Asking God to "GIVE" your daily bread acknowledges that all good things come from Him, that He can be trusted to meet your need and you are grateful for His gifts! He provided for you yesterday and you hope in His provision for you today.

God is pleased when you ask Him to "GIVE" and pleases you with His abundant provision! So you HAVE A PRAYER when you pray, "GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD".




















Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

"Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11



Seldom do six words contain so much significant truth as these! But then they were spoken by Jesus so we should not be surprised.

In previous posts I summarized the purpose of the Lord's Prayer as designed to change me from "I want my way" prayers to "have Your way" prayers. I supported that summary by teaching from Matthew 6:9-10.

At first glance, the request in verse eleven appears to contradict that as He instructs the disciples to ask for what they need. But let's take a closer look!

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" is a declaration of God's desire to meet our needs! 

He wants to!

He is able to!

He will!

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" is a strong declaration of your dependence on God to care for you by providing what you need to survive each day. 

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" is a recognition that God is clear on what you actually need to survive. You struggle to differentiate between what you need and what you want but He doesn't! Knowing that and believing it can teach you to identify needs from wants! Here's a hint! If He hasn't supplied you don't really need it!

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" will relieve you from the anxiety of going without. As the Psalmist declared,  "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." Psalms 37:25

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" will guard from becoming proud or self-sufficient. With this becoming a daily practice you will maintain your perspective on Who provides for you!

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" is not a selfish prayer but a plural and collective prayer! "Give US" includes your family or those for whom you bear responsibility! If you know He will provide for you can have confidence of His ability to provide for them!

Praying "Give us this day our daily bread" will make it easier for you to be generous with others because you are confident you will not go without.

These are by no means a complete list of the benefits of praying this prayer but I share these to illustrate that you are not being selfish by praying this prayer and it is not a "I want my way" prayer!

When it comes to having your needs supplied YOU HAVE A PRAYER!