[Jesus continued his teaching about how to pray:]
“Give us each day the food we need, …”
Key Thought
One of the great blessings of Israel’s wilderness wanderings was the lesson of daily dependence. [1] They had to trust God for their daily food. They couldn’t gather too much manna and quail that God gave them and store the food, or it would spoil and become putrid with maggots. [2] While God provided for them, they never suffered from having too little. They were reminded daily that the LORD is gracious, faithful, and practical. The prayer of our hearts is that we, too, may experience the LORD as gracious, faithful, and practical. We want to realize beyond theory that the LORD provides and blesses and thereby realize that our faith is justified. So we pray in humble recognition that today’s food is not the work of our hands, but a blessing of God. We won’t store up for ourselves and our glory, but depend upon his graciousness and use what we have to share his blessings. The food we have each day is a reminder of the eternal faithfulness of our Father.
[2] Exodus 16:19-20.
Today’s Prayer
Almighty God, Abba Father, thank you for the food you have given me today. Please supply it day by day and never let me think that it is mine because of my power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
1 Timothy 6:6-8Matthew 6:25-34Philippians 4:11-13Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.