SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1250

“Daily Bread”

Give us each day our daily bread – Luke 11:3

One of the first prayers we learn to recite is the ‘Our Father’ as taught by Jesus to His disciples. Within that prayer is our petition to the Father to provide our daily needs. Most of us will recite this prayer and relate ‘daily bread’ to signify our physical wants, desires, and needs.

But he answered, “It is written,” ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

The Word of God uses ‘bread’ in both literal and metaphorical senses. Bread signifies sustenance and health, both physically and spiritually.

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” – John 6:50,51

In the Old Testament Law, fresh baked Showbread (The bread of the Presence) was placed on the table in the Sanctuary as an offering to God every Sabbath. The bread removed would be food for the priests in the coming week.

And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly. – Exodus 25:30

This is a beautiful representation and foreshadowing of the presence of Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

Just as the bread of the Presence was set in the sanctuary, we too are to set the Lord always before us each day as our daily bread.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

When we pray, ‘Give us each day our daily bread’ we need to be aware that:

• This is a daily prayer, not an occasional one.
• This is an affirmation of our trust in God, recognizing that He is our provider.
• We are seeking first His Kingdom and Righteousness through the abiding presence of Jesus.

As Christians, we celebrate Communion at regular intervals. Perhaps we should also consider this prayer, ‘Give us each day our daily bread’ as daily Communion with our Triune God as we seek a fresh infilling of His abiding presence to give us the power, strength, and provision to live godly and holy lives each day.

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19