Prayer for Daily Bread
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
5/20/2018 AM
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Text:
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Matthew 6;
Lord's Day 50
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Psalters: |
171, 328, 400, 100 |
- The humble request.
- Two parts of the request are humbling.
- Why include this petition?
- First, so we learn that we may pray for the physical and earthly (Prov. 30:8).
- Second, this petition asks God to bless our working. We are to remember that unless God builds (bless) we labor in vain.
- Third, when we have more than daily, we still are to pray this petition because we are a part of a body: (“our”).
- Fourth, this petition reminds us that “much” is nothing if under God’s curse, and “little” (or nothing) is a blessing in His favor.
- Finally, God’s blessing is only through Christ, the heavenly Bread, so our daily bread serves higher purposes.
- This petition requires the spiritual attitude of faith.
- One, to pray this petition means that we do not trust in our own efforts to supply our daily needs.
- Second, we are taught to exercise faith toward (think of) God. We are taught to look up, to acknowledge the only Giver of food.
- We are taught to acknowledge the absolute sovereignty of our Father, and His wisdom to know our need and to supply it.
- Also faith sees that God uses the mercies of Christ (deacons).
- The beautiful significance.
- This petition does not allow for sloth, but diligence in our work.
- The plural pronouns “us” and “our” mean that we are concerned for the whole body of Christ, not only for self.
- This petition implies contentment with just bread and daily.
- We learn more and more to look up for our every need and to be content.