Week 5 | Pray Like This | Daily Bread
SUMMARY
This sermon series is considering Jesus’ instructions on prayer- line by line. This week we looked at what it means to pray “Give us this day our daily bread” When Jesus uttered these words, he wasn’t merely instructing his disciples to recite a rote prayer; he was inviting them into a deeper understanding of reliance on God for sustenance.
When we pray “gives us this day our daily bread” We are looking to God to provide what we need, to refuse us what we don’t, and to determine the difference.
Jesus spoke to a Jewish audience, referencing a pivotal event in Israel’s history: the provision of manna in the wilderness. Through the example of the manna, God taught the Israelites dependence and trust. Similarly, when we pray for our daily bread, we acknowledge our reliance on God’s provision and his wisdom in discerning our true needs.
The prayer also carries a nuanced request: not only do we ask for what we need, but we trust God to deny us what we don’t need. This aligns with the wisdom of Proverbs 30, where Agar asks for neither poverty nor riches, but only his daily bread. It’s a plea for balance, recognizing that excess can lead to forgetfulness of God and deprivation to desperation.
Praying for daily bread is an act of surrender, acknowledging God’s sovereignty in discerning our needs and trusting his provision. It’s a reminder to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, knowing that all other things will be added unto us. This prayer challenges us to reorient our focus from temporal concerns to eternal truths.
He is our Father and he gets to determine the difference between our wants and our needs. Just as earthly parents provide for their children’s needs, our Heavenly Father knows what we truly require. We may not always receive what we want, but we can trust that God will provide what we need for our spiritual growth and well-being.
TALK IT OUT
•Share a personal experience where you felt God’s provision in a time of need. How did this experience deepen your trust in God’s faithfulness?
•Read Deuteronomy 8:1-5, and Exodus 16:11-32. How does understanding the historical context of the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the significance of manna in the wilderness, deepen your understanding of God’s provision in your life today?
•Reflecting on the concept of daily bread, what are some areas in your life where you struggle to trust God for provision, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual?
•How does sabbath rest, fasting and tithing have to do with trusting God?
•Consider the definition of this phrase in the Lord’s prayer “We are looking to God to provide what we need, to refuse us what we don’t, and to determine the difference.” Which part of that brings you the most comfort and challenge?
•How can we cultivate a mindset of contentment and gratitude for what God provides, even when it differs from our desires or expectations?
•Read Matthew 6:25-34. How does trust and worry relate to one another in this passage? What is the key to worry according to Jesus?
•Let’s spend some time praying together- in prayer, ask God for daily bread in particular areas of your life. Resist the urge to spend all your time talking together, instead, just talk to God about it. Allow others in the group to agree with you in prayer.