The Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” – Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 Luke 11:1-4
Proverbs 3:5-8
Conversation and encounter. Relationship moments. Interaction.
God please supply my needs, not too much, not too little – so that I don’t resent you or forget you. – Proverbs 30:8-9
“We come with our needs expectant of positive response, but we do so changed by our satisfaction in him and our trust in him. We do not come arrogantly and anxiously telling him what has to happen. Many things we would have otherwise agonized over, we can now ask for without desperation.” – Timothy Keller Prayer
Augustine reminds us that “daily bread” is a metaphor for necessities rather than luxuries.
God provides in a variety of ways.
God gives the ability to earn money etc. This is set within the context of God’s Good News Redemptive work. Deuteronomy 8:18
We are encouraged to value wisdom and seek it out. Most often, this results in the ability to earn wealth. Proverbs 8:21
We should consider the reality that for everyone to have their daily bread we need a thriving economy, good employment, and just society.
God cares about the motives in our asking.
“You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” – James 4:2-3
Needs provided for the generous. Life-giving relationships developed in this context.
Luke 6:36-38
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Blessed to be a blessing:
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Genesis 12:2-3
Thank you God for salvation through faith in Jesus. I am blessed to be a blessing to others.
What should we do? Pray like this