The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is the most memorized prayer in the entire world. Billions of church-goers recite this passage every single Sunday. These verses have all of the things you’d expect from a conventional call to prayer — submission, forgiveness, adoration, and bread. You heard that right; there is a shoutout to everyone’s favorite carb. What’s up with that? Does Jesus really want us to ask God for bread every time we pray? Not exactly.
In ancient Judea, bread was not an indulgence. It was the ultimate source of nourishment. People didn’t count carbs back then. “Bring on the bread” was undoubtedly a common phrase at mealtime because it provided the sustenance and nutrients essential for living well and working hard. A big stack of bread was the centerpiece at every single meal in Jewish households. It wasn’t a snack; it was their primary source of energy.
When Jesus asked God to give us our daily bread, food wasn’t the main message. This isn’t about a pita; it’s about provision. The ancient Jews saw bread as a symbol of God’s consistent provision and protection. It served as a reminder that God’s got their backs. The presence of bread on the table meant that God blessed their harvest that year. Additionally, the mention of bread made them think back to when God rescued their people with “bread from heaven” while wandering around the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-21).
The Lord’s Prayer encourages us to pray for provision every single day. We don’t say, “give us this day a year’s supply of bread” or “give us this day unlimited breadsticks from the Olive Garden.” On the contrary, we pray for daily bread. Don’t pray for indulgence. Pray for sustenance.
What kind of sustaining provision do you need today? Is it patience because you feel like there’s a target on your back? Is it peace of mind because worries kept you up all night? Is it clarity of thought because you cannot make sense of an upcoming decision? Whatever you need, ask for it.