Daily Bread and Divine Providence

Give us this day our daily bread. - Matthew 6:11 (NKJV)

In the 1970s, I think there were two cooking shows: "The French Chef," hosted by the groundbreaking Julia Child, and "The Galloping Gourmet," hosted by Graham Kerr. Most kitchens had the recipe box handed down through the family and Betty Crocker–the “Big Red” cookbook. And before the advent of the grocery superstore, there were local mom-and-pop markets. Today, we have hundreds of food-related channels and shows, thousands of cookbooks ready for same-day delivery from Amazon, and the small groceries that carry a few cereal brands have been replaced by 24-hour supermarkets that carry 50 varieties. We have become an increasingly food-centered nation. 

In the introduction to the model prayer Jesus gave his disciples, he said, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (v. 8). When Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread, he pointed to a deeper truth. It's not merely about the food that sustains our bodies but about trusting God to provide all that we need daily.

In a culture where abundance is often taken for granted, it can be easy to overlook the simplicity of this prayer. The superabundance of choices and the obsession with food can blur our understanding of true need versus desire. Yet, Jesus reminds us to focus on the essentials and trust God's provision. Later, in the same discourse with the disciples, Jesus continues: 

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (v. 25-26)

As we pray for our daily bread, let us remember that God is a God of providence. He knows our needs and provides for us in ways that surpass our understanding. When we pray, we ask for sustenance and express our trust in His goodness and perfect timing.

Loving and Gracious Father, we come today, acknowledging Your infinite wisdom and providence. You know our needs before we ask, and You provide us with love and grace. As we navigate a world consumed by desires and excess, help us to focus on what truly matters. Teach us to trust in Your goodness and to seek Your will above all else. May we find contentment in the daily bread You provide, and may our hearts be ever grateful for Your bountiful blessings. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim