Prayer For Daily Bread
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
6/2/2013 AM
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Text:
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Matthew 6;
Lord's Day 50
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Psalters: |
286, 328, 400, 88 |
- The humble request.
- “Bread” refers to necessities needed to sustain man’s earthly life: food, clothing, shelter.
- Wine and oil are luxuries (which we may use, but for which we ought not ask).
- “Daily” emphasizes the idea of our dependence on God for necessities: one day at a time.
- Why include this petition?
- First, so we learn that there is a place in our prayers for the physical and earthly (Prov. 30:8).
- Second, so we remember that we are a part of a body (“our”) where some have less than daily.
- Third, this petition asks God’s blessing on our working. We are to remember that unless God builds (bless) we labor in vain.
- Fourth, this petition reminds us that “much” is nothing if under God’s curse, and “little” (or nothing) is a blessing in His favor.
- This petition requires a spiritual attitude of faith.
- We are taught to look up, to acknowledge the only Giver of good.
- We are taught to exercise faith toward God.
- Faith believes that God cares for each of His, even the least among them.
- Faith says that our Father is so great that there is nothing too small for His observation and consideration
- We are taught to acknowledge the absolute sovereignty of our Father, and His wisdom to know our need and to supply it.
- Also faith sees that God uses the mercies of Christ (deacons).
- The beautiful significance.
- We are taught to withdraw any trust on a creature and the place of it alone on our Father/King.
- Also, this petition does not allow for sloth, but diligence in our work (cf. II Thess. 3:10).
- The plural pronouns “us” and “our” mean that we are concerned for the whole body of Christ, not only for self.
- This petition implies contentment with just bread and daily.
- Of ourselves we cannot sincerely pray this, so we ask for grace to pray this petition.