Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

There are people living in some of the most influential countries in the world who do not have enough to eat. They don’t know where they will get enough money to buy their next meals. Maybe they have been laid off from their jobs, or, due to some serious illness, they cannot work.

Perhaps you know the sinking feeling that comes from hearing the news that you will no longer be employed. When setbacks occur, we must immediately turn to God to renew our hearts with His hope and encouragement. Never be ashamed of crying out to God through prayer. He knows what you are facing even before you drop to your knees to pray.

Being laid off from our jobs does not mean we are without hope. God provides for us each day. We may not know how His provision will come, but, if our lives are submitted to Him, we can be sure we will receive His blessings.

In Luke 11, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread” (vv. 2-3). During the Exodus, God did just that. Daily He provided a fresh stock of manna, a bread-like food that also was called “the grain of heaven” (Psalm 78:24).

Too often, we become anxious about tomorrow while forgetting the faithfulness of God today. Yet the Lord never promised to supply next year’s needs all at once. Instead, He teaches us daily dependence upon Him so that we will trust His heart and not our circumstances. Every morning, God’s mercies are new, and every day His provision is sufficient. The same God who sustained Israel in the wilderness is able to sustain you in your season of uncertainty and waiting.

Through Jesus Christ, God has provided all that we need for this life. We do, however, have a responsibility to fulfill. We must sincerely seek Him each day and be willing to let go of past hurts.

Let go; trust God to provide daily bread—His manna—for you. When you do, you will see Him at work on your behalf.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for my daily bread today—physically and spiritually. As I wait, may I abide in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.