Daily Meditation in The Word - Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Learning to Depend Upon Our Heavenly Father
Introduction
In Matthew 6:11, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." Although this request is brief, it reveals an important principle concerning our relationship with our heavenly Father: we are to depend upon God for our daily needs.
Jesus does not instruct His disciples to begin by asking for wealth, luxury, or an abundance of material possessions. Instead, He teaches them to ask their Father for daily bread.
Bread was a basic necessity of life in the ancient world. It represented the food and nourishment people needed to sustain their bodies.
By teaching His disciples to pray for daily bread, Jesus reminds us that God is the source of our provision and that we should approach Him with humility, gratitude, and trust.
This request also teaches us to live one day at a time. Rather than allowing anxiety about tomorrow to control our hearts, we are encouraged to trust God's faithfulness today.
However, daily bread is not merely an individual concern. Jesus teaches us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."
His words remind us that we belong to a community and should be concerned about the needs of others as well as our own.
The central message of Matthew 6:11 is that we should depend upon our heavenly Father for our daily needs, receive His provision with thanksgiving, and demonstrate compassion toward those who lack life's necessities.
Historical and Biblical Background
1. The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6:11 is part of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples during the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5–7.
In this sermon, Jesus instructs His followers concerning righteousness, prayer, forgiveness, generosity, and the proper attitude toward material possessions.
Immediately before teaching the Lord's Prayer, Jesus warns against praying for public recognition and against using meaningless repetition.
Matthew 6:6 (KJV)
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Jesus emphasizes that prayer is an expression of our relationship with God rather than an opportunity to impress others.
He then provides a pattern for prayer.
2. The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
The prayer begins with worship and submission to the Father.
Jesus first teaches His disciples to honor God's name, desire the coming of His kingdom, and submit to His will.
Only then does the prayer turn to human needs.
The request for daily bread is followed by petitions for forgiveness and deliverance from temptation and evil.
This order reminds us that our material needs matter to God, but they should remain within the larger context of His kingdom and righteousness.
3. Bread in the Ancient World
Bread was a staple food throughout ancient Israel and the surrounding regions.
It was commonly made from wheat or barley and was an essential part of ordinary meals.
For many families, obtaining sufficient food required daily labor.
Farmers depended upon suitable weather and successful harvests. Laborers depended upon opportunities to work and receive wages.
A failed harvest, famine, illness, or loss of employment could threaten a household's food supply.
Jesus' instruction to pray for daily bread would therefore have been especially meaningful to people whose livelihoods were uncertain.
His words teach us to recognize our dependence upon God even when we have the ability to work and provide for our households.
4. Israel's Experience with Manna
The request for daily bread also recalls God's provision for Israel during the wilderness journey.
After delivering the Israelites from Egypt, the LORD provided manna when they lacked food.
Exodus 16:4 (KJV)
"Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."
God instructed the Israelites to gather the food they needed each day, with a different arrangement for the Sabbath.
They had to trust Him to provide continually.
This experience taught Israel that their survival depended upon the LORD.
It also established an important principle: God's people were to receive His provision with gratitude and follow His instructions concerning its use.
Exposition of Matthew 6:11
1. "Give Us"
Jesus begins the petition with the words "Give us."
These words acknowledge God as the giver and provider.
Although people must work, cultivate the land, prepare food, and exercise responsible stewardship, the ability to obtain life's necessities ultimately depends upon God's sustaining care.
James 1:17 (KJV)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Every good gift should produce gratitude rather than pride.
We should never assume that our resources, abilities, or accomplishments make us independent of God.
The Importance of "Us"
Jesus does not teach us to pray only for ourselves.
He says, "Give us."
The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father," establishing the shared relationship believers have with God.
Our concern should therefore extend beyond our individual households.
When we pray for daily bread, we should remember those who are hungry, unemployed, struggling financially, or unable to obtain sufficient food.
1 John 3:17 (KJV)
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
Prayer for provision should be accompanied by a willingness to help others when we have the means to do so.
Observation: God is the source of our provision, and our prayers should reflect concern for the needs of others as well as our own.
2. "This Day"
Jesus teaches His disciples to ask for provision for the present day.
The words "this day" emphasize daily dependence upon God.
They remind us that we do not possess complete control over the future.
We can make responsible plans, work diligently, and prepare for anticipated needs, but we must recognize that tomorrow remains in God's hands.
Learning from the Wilderness
When God provided manna, the Israelites were instructed to gather their daily portion.
Some attempted to preserve more than God had commanded, but the manna spoiled.
Their experience demonstrated the importance of trusting God's instructions rather than allowing fear to determine their conduct.
The lesson is not that saving food, planning ahead, or preparing for future responsibilities is wrong.
Scripture also commends diligence and wise preparation.
Rather, we must avoid allowing anxiety, greed, or distrust to govern our decisions.
Trusting God One Day at a Time
Later in the same chapter, Jesus addresses anxiety about food, clothing, and tomorrow.
Matthew 6:33–34 (KJV)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
The expression "take no thought" refers to anxious worry, not a prohibition against responsible planning.
Jesus teaches His disciples to seek God's kingdom and trust their heavenly Father's care.
Each day presents its own responsibilities.
We should therefore seek God's wisdom and provision for the day before us rather than allowing fear of an uncertain future to consume our hearts.
Observation: Daily dependence upon God teaches us to trust His faithfulness while fulfilling our present responsibilities.
3. "Our Daily Bread"
The word bread refers directly to food, an essential necessity of life.
In the context of the Lord's Prayer, daily bread represents the provision needed to sustain us.
It is appropriate to understand the petition as including the basic necessities of life, although food is its immediate focus.
The Meaning of "Daily"
The Greek word translated daily is epiousios.
It is an uncommon word found in the New Testament in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3.
Its precise meaning has been discussed by scholars.
Common explanations include bread needed for the present day, bread sufficient for our existence, or bread for the coming day.
In Matthew's context, the request emphasizes trusting the Father for necessary provision.
The prayer is not primarily a request for luxury or the accumulation of wealth.
It teaches contentment and dependence upon God.
God's Provision and Human Responsibility
Praying for daily bread does not remove our responsibility to work when we are able, exercise wisdom, and care for our households.
The Scriptures repeatedly connect diligent labor with responsible living.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV)
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Paul's warning concerns those who are unwilling to work, not those who are unable to work or cannot find employment.
The Church is also commanded to care for the poor, widows, and others who need assistance.
Prayer, diligence, gratitude, generosity, and responsible stewardship belong together.
Contentment with God's Provision
1 Timothy 6:6–8 (KJV)
"But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
Paul teaches that godliness and contentment are greater than the endless pursuit of material possessions.
Jesus' instruction to pray for daily bread encourages us to recognize the difference between our needs and our desires.
God's provision should lead us toward thanksgiving rather than dissatisfaction.
Observation: Daily bread reminds us to seek necessary provision, practice contentment, and use our resources responsibly.
Daily Bread and Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life
Although Matthew 6:11 directly concerns daily provision, Scripture also teaches that humanity has a deeper spiritual need.
Physical bread sustains our bodies, but it cannot provide eternal life.
Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread of Life.
John 6:35 (KJV)
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Jesus spoke these words after feeding the multitude and discussing the manna God provided in the wilderness.
He explained that the Father gives the true bread from heaven.
The manna sustained Israel temporarily.
Jesus Christ gives eternal life to those who believe in Him.
We should distinguish the immediate meaning of Matthew 6:11 from this broader biblical teaching.
When Jesus instructs His disciples to pray for daily bread, He teaches dependence upon the Father for physical provision.
In John 6, He reveals that our deepest spiritual need is fulfilled through Him.
Both passages remind us that life depends upon God's gracious provision.
We Need More Than Physical Bread
Deuteronomy 8:3 (KJV)
"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."
God used Israel's wilderness experience to teach the nation that life depends upon His Word.
We need physical nourishment, but we also need spiritual nourishment.
We should therefore seek God's provision for our bodies while continually growing in our knowledge of His Word and our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Key Observations
God is our heavenly Father and provider. Jesus teaches us to bring our daily needs before Him.
Prayer begins with God's glory and kingdom. The request for daily bread follows petitions concerning God's name, kingdom, and will.
Daily bread represents necessary provision. Jesus directs our attention toward the necessities of life rather than material excess.
God teaches His people daily dependence. The wilderness account of manna demonstrates the importance of trusting His provision.
Our prayers should include others. Jesus says "give us," reminding us to care about the needs of our families, communities, and fellow believers.
Gratitude should accompany provision. Every good gift should produce thanksgiving toward God.
Faith does not eliminate responsibility. Believers should work diligently when able and exercise wise stewardship.
Contentment protects the heart from greed. We should distinguish between necessary provision and the endless pursuit of possessions.
God's people are called to generosity. When we have sufficient resources, we should demonstrate compassion toward those in need.
Jesus Christ fulfills our deepest spiritual need. He is the Bread of Life who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Personal Application
Matthew 6:11 reminds me that every day of my life depends upon the faithfulness of my heavenly Father.
When I pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," I acknowledge that God is the source of my provision.
Although I have responsibilities and must exercise diligence, I should never allow my work, financial resources, or personal abilities to become the foundation of my security.
My confidence must remain in the LORD.
This prayer also challenges me to examine my attitude toward tomorrow.
Am I allowing uncertainty about the future to produce fear and anxiety?
Am I so concerned about what I may need tomorrow that I fail to recognize what God has already provided today?
Jesus teaches me to bring my daily needs before the Father and trust His wisdom.
I must also learn contentment.
Rather than continually focusing upon what I do not possess, I should recognize the blessings God has already entrusted to me.
The words "give us" remind me that I should not be concerned only with my own household.
When I pray for daily bread, I should remember those who are hungry, struggling financially, or experiencing circumstances that prevent them from meeting their basic needs.
If God has provided me with resources that can help someone else, I should be willing to demonstrate compassion.
Finally, I must remember that physical provision alone cannot satisfy the deepest needs of my soul.
Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life.
Just as my body requires daily nourishment, I need to remain spiritually nourished through God's Word, prayer, and fellowship with Christ.
My daily prayer should reflect trust in God's provision, gratitude for His blessings, contentment with what He has entrusted to me, and compassion toward those who are in need.
Reflection Questions
Why did Jesus teach His disciples to pray for daily bread?
What does this request reveal about our relationship with God as our heavenly Father?
Why is the request for daily bread placed after the petitions concerning God's name, kingdom, and will?
How does God's provision of manna in the wilderness help us understand daily dependence upon Him?
What is the significance of the words "give us" rather than simply "give me"?
How can we demonstrate compassion toward those who lack sufficient food or other basic necessities?
What is the difference between trusting God for provision and neglecting our personal responsibilities?
How can we practice contentment while continuing to work diligently and prepare responsibly for the future?
Am I allowing anxiety about tomorrow to prevent me from recognizing God's faithfulness today?
How does Jesus' teaching about daily bread relate to His instruction to seek first the kingdom of God?
What does Jesus mean when He identifies Himself as the Bread of Life in John 6:35?
What practical steps can I take to develop a daily habit of prayer, gratitude, generosity, and dependence upon my heavenly Father?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with thanksgiving, acknowledging that You are the source of every good gift and every provision in my life.
Thank You for the food You provide, the strength You give, and the opportunities You place before me each day.
Lord, teach me to depend upon You rather than allowing fear, anxiety, or uncertainty about tomorrow to control my heart.
As Jesus taught His disciples to pray, I ask You to give us this day our daily bread.
Provide for the needs of my household and grant me wisdom to use what You have entrusted to me responsibly.
Give me diligence in my work, contentment in my circumstances, and gratitude for every blessing I receive.
Father, I also pray for those who are hungry, unemployed, struggling financially, or unable to obtain the necessities of life.
Open doors of provision and strengthen those who are facing difficult circumstances.
Give me a compassionate heart and help me to recognize opportunities to share with others.
May I never become so concerned with my own needs that I overlook the suffering of those around me.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Bread of Life.
Just as I need physical food to sustain my body, I need Your Word to nourish my spirit.
Strengthen my desire to study the Scriptures, remain faithful in prayer, and grow in my relationship with You.
Holy Spirit, teach me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Help me to trust the Father's faithfulness one day at a time.
May I live with gratitude for today's provision, confidence in Your care, and a willingness to become a blessing to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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