Thoughts: Jesus' words call to memory Proverbs 30:8 which asks God not to give me too little or too much. But Jesus changes it a bit- it is not "give me" but "give us." Christians are called not to be just concerned about ourselves, but also about the bread of others. It is a good saying (Bruce Waltke quoted in Tim Keller's "Generous Justice") that "the righteous disadvantage themselves to the advantage of others, while the wicked are willing to disadvantage the community to advantage themselves." Who is the us here that we are to pray for daily bread for? Some say the world, some say believers, some say our families or the church we are in praying this prayer. Jesus leaves it purposefully vague- but it is an admonition to not think only about ourselves. If we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, then we should care about their getting bread just as if we were hungry for bread ourselves. Jesus is concerned not about that all have luxuries or have the same thing- but He is very concerned that we care about the real needs of others. To pray this prayer and not care (pray and act) about the bread of others shows a callousness that Jesus did not have when he walked on this earth.
Prayer: Give me a heart, O Lord, for those who do not have the basic necessities of life. Give me a compassionate heart for them as you had for me.
(Sloan translation 2012) Q. 104 WSC- What do we pray for in the fourth request of the Lord's Prayer?
A. In the fourth request, which is "Give us this day our daily bread", we pray that we may receive a necessary portion of the good things of this life- given freely by God- and enjoy His blessings with them.
(1647) WSC Q. 104- What do we pray for in the fourth petition? A: In the fourth petition, which is "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray that, of God's free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessings with them."
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