Give us today our daily bread (Penny Cox)

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‘I will rain down bread from heaven’

(Exodus 16:4)

I am taken by the realisation that we are half way through the Lord’s Prayer before we encounter any appeal to God to help us with our own needs. This has really made me think about my prayers, which often start with a list of my requests! If this is God’s model for prayer, then I need to make some changes…

I’m also struck by the simplicity and immediacy of this request. What is asked for? Bread - delicious, filling and energy-giving yes, but basic too. Certainly, no frills. And when? Today. Now, not looking to the future. In six straightforward and very direct words, Jesus teaches us to ask our Heavenly Father to provide our essential needs for today, and not to worry about tomorrow, or the next day. 

The Jews hearing this prayer would have recalled the story in Exodus when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and God provided manna from heaven. This delivered them from hunger but, just as important, it helped them to renew their trust in him.

I have been enjoying HT’s Prayer Course. It has helped me think that these simple words from the Lord’s Prayer might show us a way to pray for bigger things – like perhaps healing; for someone to come to the faith; or for an improvement in a relationship. If we can think of even one small specific thing that a person could experience today that might be a stepping stone to achieving that bigger request, then let us pray for it boldly, trusting that our Heavenly Father will answer.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us and want to give us good things. Thank you for your amazing provision for us, which is new every day. Thank you that through your son Jesus we can bring our hopes and fears to you.  Please help us to pray simply and directly for those situations that are in our hearts today. Amen

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