Prayer For Daily Bread

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