Our Daily Bread, please Father
Did you ever notice how important it is to have something in proper order? When writing a letter or an article like the one you are reading now. If the letters in a word are out of order you have no word, you have only letters that covey nothing, they have no meaning. Proper order, when writing is foundational for effective communication. If you have a combination lock, you need the numbers in proper sequence, and when using an email address you need to have all the letters and numbers in precise order, or your message will not be received or sent. There will be no communication.
This is what Jesus was teaching us regarding prayer. If you want effective communication with God, you need to know first, that prayer is a communication, similar to a parent and child, one is dependent and the other is the responder. We come acknowledging our dependence. Our first petitions are not self-centered but seeking blessings on the parent, our Father. Three petitions for our father, his name be lifted high, his rule be realized in all things, and his will be accomplished on earth as completely as the angels carry it out in heaven.
Now, we turn to our own needs, and we request our daily bread. Notice, its bread we request, not fancy dinners, extravagant delicacies or jewels, neither luxuries nor positions of power and influence. No, we come seeking the basics, the necessary things fundamental to life. We are to avoid the behavior that springs from competition and that turns us so easily into self-centered accumulators who live as though our value is determined by the amount and size of our treasures. We are invited to come with a humble and quiet heart and confidently request “our”, not just mine, but “our” daily needs be met. We request that the needs of others, those around us, our neighbors far and near have their needs met too. Praying this petition, is about working together with God in our world to make this a better place. It is our role in seeking his kingdom and it is our part, aligned with God, to bring about his will for all his image bearers. Give us a heart and desire to share and bring health and comfort to all. It is noteworthy that Jesus fed people on numerous occasions, each time he simply nourished the people with fish and bread. There was no ice cream or chocolate, but the simple food of the day, and always more to collect and distribute. One of the most effective ways Christians reveal themselves to be Christ followers is to seek the well-being of others. The daily food we all need is more than bread and fish, it includes health care, clinics and schools, clothing and shelter, protection, safety, and dignity, perhaps it’s a kind word or an a n extended hand, for these are our daily needs. Father in heaven we pray that our daily needs are met, yes mine, but also hers and his, and theirs too. Thanks for listening.