“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible).

Having honored God and prayed for His kingdom to come and His will to be done, we pray for kinds of personal needs. In the traditional wording of the Lord’s Prayer, we say:

• Give us this day our daily bread
• And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
• And lead us not into temptation
• But deliver us from evil.

Once again, let us take note that we pray in the plural. We say, “Give us, forgive us, lead us, and deliver us,” not “give me, forgive me, lead me, and deliver me.” The Lord’s Prayer covers both personal supplications and intercessory prayer.

We pray for all of our needs. Jesus specifically mentioned “our daily bread.” In a time when many people survived by gathering food for the day, this covered all of their food. We pray for food and other essential needs: clothing, housing, an income to meet our needs, etc.

However, we should understand the difference between “needs” and “wants.” Food for survival and good health are needs: an expensive meal at a five-star restaurant is a want. Transportation to your job might be a need; a reliable car that provides that transportation might be a legitimate way to meet that need; an expensive sports car is not necessary. Too often, we waste our money on luxuries and expensive items and then wonder why God did not give us the money to pay our rent and utilities. He gave us our needs, but sometimes we squander it on things He did not promise to give us.

This prayer also reminds us that we should trust God about our current necessities without telling God how to meet the needs we think we will require in the future. We are praying for our daily bread. Shortly after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God promised to feed them bread from heaven, known as “manna.” The Israelites would gather it, and God ensured that every family had enough for the day. He commanded them to eat it that day; if anybody tried to save some for the next day, it spoiled (Exodus 16:13-21). God was providing bread for the day. He would give more food on the next day. The Israelites had to learn to trust God to provide their daily bread and not to try to horde some for the future.

So, let us each ask God daily to provide our essential needs, trusting Him to take care of them as they arise. Let us also pray that our friends, families, and even those we may not get along with may receive from God what they need to make it through the next day.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Heavenly Father, You know exactly what we need and how to provide it. Give us what we need to survive. Help us to recognize the difference between the things we truly need and the nonessential things we desire. We also ask You to meet the needs of everyone we love and care for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What do you think are some needs that qualify as “daily bread”? How has God met these needs in your life? How has He answered prayers for luxuries and other “extras” you have prayed for? Share your thoughts in the comments area below.

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