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“Let us look at what the Word of God says.”
> “Give us today our daily bread.”
> — *Matthew 6:11*
This short request stands at the very heart of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. It is simple, yet it reaches into every area of life: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational.
The song you have before you is essentially an extended meditation on that one petition of the Lord’s Prayer. It weaves together three great biblical images of God’s provision:
1. The manna in the wilderness
2. The feeding of the multitudes with loaves and fish
3. Christ Himself as the Living Bread from heaven
The central theme is this:
God desires His people to live in daily dependence on His faithful provision, not in anxious self-reliance or fearful hoarding.
The issue is not only bread for the body. It is the posture of the heart. The Lord is not merely teaching us *what* to ask, but *how* to live: one day at a time, under the Father’s care, trusting His character, not our own capacity.
This is a profound matter of discipleship and spiritual warfare. Anxiety, greed, fear of lack, and independence from God are not merely psychological tendencies; they are spiritual strongholds. Jesus, in teaching us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” is confronting these strongholds head-on.
The words “Give us today our daily bread” appear in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus is addressing His disciples and the crowds in Galilee. These were not wealthy people. Many lived day to day, dependent on daily wages, uncertain of tomorrow’s work.
In Matthew 6, Jesus deals with three foundational disciplines:
In the center of His teaching on prayer, He gives what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9–13), which is more accurately “The Disciples’ Prayer.” It is the pattern by which all Christian praying is to be shaped.
Notice the structure:
> “Our Father in heaven,
> hallowed be your name,
> your kingdom come,
> your will be done,
> on earth as it is in heaven.
> Give us today our daily bread.
> And forgive us our debts,
> as we also have forgiven our debtors.
> And lead us not into temptation,
> but deliver us from the evil one.”
> — *Matthew 6:9–13*
The first three petitions concern God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will. Only after that do we come to our needs: bread, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
So “Give us today our daily bread” stands in a very important place:
Jesus is not teaching a mere survival prayer. He is setting bread in the context of the Kingdom. When a believer asks for daily bread, he is not begging in fear; he is approaching a Father, under the rule of a Kingdom, where the King has taken responsibility for His subjects.
Later in the same chapter, Jesus expands on this:
> “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
> — *Matthew 6:25, 32–33*
The song properly connects this prayer to three major biblical scenes:
1. The wilderness and manna (Exodus 16)
2. The feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13–21; John 6)
3. Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:32–35)
Each of these events illustrates a different aspect of “daily bread” and the spiritual life of faith.
### 3.1 “Daily” – *epiousios*
The key word in Matthew 6:11 is “daily.”
> “Give us today our daily bread.”
> — *Matthew 6:11*
The Greek word translated “daily” is *epiousios*. It is a rare word. In fact, outside the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke, it does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.
Scholars have suggested two main nuances:
1. “For the coming day” or “sufficient for the day”
– That which is needed for the day immediately before us.
2. “Necessary for existence” or “essential bread”
– Bread that is necessary for life, that which is truly needed, not luxury.
Putting these together, we could paraphrase:
> “Give us today the bread that is sufficient and necessary for this day’s life.”
This rules out two common errors:
### 3.2 “Bread” – *artos* and Old Testament “mān”
The Greek word for “bread” is *artos*. It can refer to literal bread, to food in general, or symbolically to spiritual nourishment. Jesus Himself applies it spiritually:
> “I am the bread (*artos*) of life.”
> — *John 6:35*
In the Old Testament background, the key word is mān (manna).
> “When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ (*man hu*) For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.’”
> — *Exodus 16:15*
Manna was:
By using the imagery of bread in the Lord’s Prayer and by the song’s reference to manna, we see this clearly:
“Bread” is not a symbol of luxury. It is the symbol of God’s faithful, measured, daily care—enough for today, enough for obedience, enough for strength.
The lyrics align with that biblical pattern: “Enough for now, enough for strength / Your provision comes in perfect length.”
### Stanza 1
> Each morning when we come to pray
> We ask for what we need today
> Not riches for tomorrow stored away
> But bread enough to see us through
> You know our hunger, You provide
> Just like the manna long ago
>
> Give us today our daily bread
This stanza captures three central truths:
1. The timing – “each morning”
In Exodus 16, the manna came *in the morning*:
> “When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.”
> — *Exodus 16:14*
Each day began with receiving. The spiritual life is sustained by a daily rhythm of coming to God. Not yesterday’s prayer, not tomorrow’s intention, but today.
2. The scope – “what we need today”
This aligns with Proverbs 30:8–9:
> “Give me neither poverty nor riches,
> but give me only my daily bread.
> Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you…
> Or I may become poor and steal,
> and so dishonor the name of my God.”
The biblical goal is not luxury, but sufficiency. “Bread enough to see us through” is a practical expression of that prayer.
3. The pattern – “just like the manna long ago”
The Israelites were forbidden to gather extra, except for the Sabbath:
> “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”
> — *Exodus 16:19*
Those who tried to hoard discovered rot and worms (Exodus 16:20). This is a spiritual principle: what God gives as “daily” cannot be hoarded without spiritual corruption. To insist on security in accumulation rather than in God’s character is unbelief.
Spiritual warfare aspect:
Fear of lack is a weapon of the enemy. It pushes us either to hoard or to compromise. God’s answer is daily dependence. Each morning we come back, and in that rhythm, the stronghold of fear is broken.
---
### Stanza 2
> You fed the crowds with loaves and fish
> Five thousand ate from just one gift
> You taught us not to worry for tomorrow
> But trust You’ll give us what we need
> Day by day, Your faithful hand
> Supplies the grace to help us stand
>
> Give us today our daily bread
This stanza moves from the wilderness to the ministry of Jesus.
1. The miracle of multiplication
In Matthew 14:13–21 and John 6:1–13, Jesus multiplies a few loaves and fish to feed thousands.
Two key points:
God’s provision is often released through surrender and obedience. What is placed in His hands becomes more than sufficient.
2. “Not to worry for tomorrow”
This echoes Matthew 6:34:
> “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Anxiety about tomorrow is a form of unbelief. It shifts our focus from God’s faithfulness to our imagined scenarios. The antidote is trust in His character: “trust You’ll give us what we need.”
3. “Supplies the grace to help us stand”
This connects “bread” with grace. Hebrews 4:16 speaks of:
> “Grace to help us in our time of need.”
Paul testifies:
> “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
> — *2 Corinthians 12:9*
Daily bread is not only material. It is also the specific grace needed for the tests of this day. Strength to endure. Wisdom to decide. Patience to respond. God gives tailor-made grace for the day.
---
### Stanza 3
> We’re not forgotten in the wilderness
> You lead us still, You guide, You bless
> Like Israel learned in desert sand
> To gather only what You send
> Enough for now, enough for strength
> Your provision comes in perfect length
>
> Give us today our daily bread
This stanza returns to the wilderness theme and emphasizes three lessons:
1. The wilderness is not abandonment
Israel often misinterpreted the desert as divine rejection. Yet Scripture says:
> “The LORD your God… went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp.”
> — *Deuteronomy 1:32–33*
Many believers are in seasons that feel like desert: scarcity, testing, delay. The song declares a biblical truth: “We’re not forgotten in the wilderness.” The wilderness is often where God’s provision and guidance are clearest.
2. “To gather only what You send”
This is a principle of contentment and obedience. Paul learned it:
> “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
> — *Philippians 4:11*
Spiritual maturity includes discipline in our appetites. We do not pursue more than God gives, nor do we despise what He gives. We gather what He sends. This breaks greed and covetousness.
3. “Your provision comes in perfect length”
God’s provision is measured. In Exodus 16:18:
> “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.”
This principle is echoed in 2 Corinthians 8:15 when Paul speaks of giving and receiving in the body of Christ. The Lord’s way is sufficiency, not excess.
---
### Stanza 4
> Not greedy hearts that hoard and grasp
> But open hands that simply ask
> Teach us to live in dependence sweet
> One day at a time at Your feet
> You are the Bread, the Living One
> In You our every need is done
>
> Give us today our daily bread
Here the focus shifts from external provision to internal posture.
1. Greed vs. open-handed asking
Greed is an idolatry of “more.” Paul writes:
> “Greed… is idolatry.”
> — *Colossians 3:5*
Greed says: “I must secure my future myself.” Faith says: “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). The Christian life is to be marked by asking, not grasping.
2. “Dependence sweet… one day at a time”
This is the lifestyle of trusting submission. The Israelites had to trust daily. Jesus lived that way:
> “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
> — *John 5:19*
The Holy Spirit leads us into moment-by-moment dependence. Strategic planning is not wrong, but it must never replace childlike trust for today’s provision.
3. “You are the Bread, the Living One”
This is the highest revelation. Jesus said:
> “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.”
> — *John 6:33, 35*
Ultimately, the “daily bread” for which we ask is Christ Himself—His presence, His Word, His life within us. Material needs matter, but they are secondary. The heart of the prayer is: “Father, give me Jesus today. I cannot live one day without Him.”
“In You our every need is done” echoes Romans 8:32:
> “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
---
### Stanza 5
> So here we pray with childlike trust
> For food and shelter, all that’s just
> You promise never to forsake
> Your children when we seek Your face
> Today’s enough—Your grace, Your care
> Our daily bread is in this prayer
>
> Give us today our daily bread
This final stanza gathers the themes together into a posture of faith:
1. “Childlike trust”
Jesus said:
> “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
> — *Matthew 18:3*
Children are not responsible for long-term provision. They trust the parent. When we pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” we are placing ourselves in that position.
2. “Food and shelter, all that’s just”
This is a biblical balance. First Timothy 6:8 says:
> “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
We are taught to ask not for luxury, but for what is right and just—what enables us to fulfill God’s will honorably.
3. “You promise never to forsake”
This rests on firm scriptural ground:
> “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
> — *Hebrews 13:5*
The antidote to covetousness and fear is the presence of God. Because He is with us, we can live free from the slavery of “What if I don’t have enough?”
4. “Today’s enough—Your grace, Your care”
This is the heart of the whole teaching. Today is the unit God has given us. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not yet ours. God’s grace is apportioned by the day.
“Our daily bread is in this prayer” means: in praying the way Jesus taught, we are placing ourselves in the channel of God’s daily supply.
Let us now consider how to respond practically. Doctrine must lead to discipline.
### 1. Cultivate Daily Dependence in Prayer
Make “Give us today our daily bread” a real, daily petition. Not mechanical, but conscious.
Say out loud: “Father, I receive from You today the bread that is necessary and sufficient for this day.”
This is an act of humility and faith. It rejects self-sufficiency and invites the rule of the Kingdom into your daily life.
### 2. Renounce Anxiety, Greed, and Hoarding
This is an area of spiritual warfare. You may need to consciously renounce wrong attitudes.
You can do this intentionally:
Then align your actions:
### 3. Receive Christ Daily as Your True Bread
Do not separate “daily bread” from Christ Himself. Make it a habit to feed on the Word of God and to open your heart to the Holy Spirit each day.
You might say: “Lord Jesus, You are my Bread of Life. I take You today as my wisdom, my strength, my righteousness, and my sufficiency.”
### 4. Practice Contentment and Simplicity
Align your lifestyle with the principle of “daily bread,” not of endless accumulation.
Paul wrote:
> “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
> — *1 Timothy 6:6*
This is not passivity. It is freedom—the freedom to trust God’s daily provision and to use resources as His steward.
### Proclamation
Say this aloud, thoughtfully and with faith:
**“Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You today.
You are my source and my provider.
You know what I need before I ask.
Yet in obedience to Your Son, I ask:
Give me today my daily bread.
I renounce anxiety about tomorrow.
I renounce fear of lack and the greed that hoards.
I choose to trust Your faithful hand,
as You gave manna in the wilderness,
as You multiplied loaves and fish,
as You have given Jesus, the Bread of Life, for me.
Today I receive from You
all that is necessary and sufficient
for my body, my soul, and my spirit:
food, shelter, grace, wisdom, strength, and peace.
Lord Jesus, You are my Bread of Life.
In You my every true need is met.
I choose to live one day at a time,
in childlike trust,
at my Father’s feet.
Give us today our daily bread.
Amen.”**
### Prayer
Lord God, our Father in heaven,
we thank You that You are not distant,
but You see, You know, and You care.
We bring before You every need represented in the hearts of those who read these words:
needs for provision, for work, for housing, for food;
needs for strength, courage, and peace;
needs for guidance in confusion and hope in discouragement.
We ask You now:
Stretch out Your hand, as You did in the wilderness.
Measure out the manna for today.
Multiply the loaves and fish where resources are small.
Reveal Jesus afresh as the Bread of Life.
Break the power of fear of lack.
Break the yoke of anxiety.
Uproot greed and the craving for more than You intend.
Teach us the beauty of contentment and the joy of daily dependence.
Let the words of Your Son, “Give us today our daily bread,”
become a living reality in our homes, our hearts, and our habits.
We receive, by faith, today’s portion of Your grace.
We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and our Bread of Life.
Amen.
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