When Jesus uses the word “bread”, he is referring to everything we need for our earthly existence. Our prayers should show our understanding and belief that God is our master provider, and that He cares about even our smallest daily needs. We need to be conscious of how utterly dependent we are on our Father to provide for our daily physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.
“But,” you say, “Does God really provide all of this?”
Let’s take a look at early Israel. When Israel was freed from the bondage of Egypt, they were faced with a dilemma. How would thousands of people be able to sustain themselves long enough to cross a huge desert? Humanly, it wasn’t possible. But what happened? Were they forced to return to slavery in Egypt? No. Let’s look at the biblical account recorded in Exodus 16:4:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions’” (Exodus 16:4).
God provided them with manna. Why? Because He cared for them. If God can provide for a multitude for forty years in the desert, surely we can trust Him with our daily needs. Luke 18:27 tells us that: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
And this isn’t the only biblical example of God’s abundant provision! 1 Kings 17 tells us the story of how God provided the Prophet Elijah with food during the time of drought. Matthew records how Jesus fed bread and fish to huge crowds on two different occasions (Matt. 6:25,33). And there are many, many other examples.
If God cares so much for us and delights Himself in fulfilling our needs, then why are we so reluctant to trust in Him? Why do we cheat on our taxes, steal, or rely on the lottery to survive?
Before sin entered our world, Adam and Eve were completely dependent on God, and God delighted in providing for them. As a result, all their needs, including their need of companionship, were met (see Gen. 2:21-25). But then sin entered the world. God didn’t change as a result of sin. James 1:17 tells us that God never changes. God still delights in providing for our needs. But we changed. We became self-sufficient, self-reliant, and complacent.
We need to continue depending on God. We need to believe He will fulfill our needs because He cares for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). If God cares enough to send His Son to save us from sin, don’t you think He cares about our daily needs?
“Dear Daddy, I humbly acknowledge that I need you in order to survive. I need you to fill my daily needs. I know that You not only can fill my needs, but You want to as well! All I have to do is ask. Please, Papa, give me today the things that I need.”