Matthew 6:11
When God's Kingdom comes, there will be bread for all, but until that day, we need basic necessities in order to live. But notice that this prayer is in the plural - give us. When we pray this prayer, we are praying for all of God's children, as one of God's children. We are not praying that God take care of "them," the poor and needy of the world. We are together with them, praying for all of God's people as a whole. When God gives to you or me, we are then responsible to give surplus to others.
This prayer also reminds us that every one of us, no matter what our current situation, is dependent on God for our very survival. If we decide that we do not need to pray to God for our daily needs, we are deceiving ourselves about our self-sufficiency. It is God who causes the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and the plants to grow in order that we might eat. It is God who gave us the resources and opportunities we need to survive. Within this prayer is an unspoken thanks for the bread God provided the day before, even as we trust that God will help us meet our needs for tomorrow.
Prayer: Lord, may all Your children have what they need to survive. Guide me in my responsibility as Your disciple that this prayer be fulfilled. Thank you for all that You provide for me every day. May I trust in You today, tomorrow and into eternity. In the name of the Bread of Life, Jesus, Amen
* Devotions taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink
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