Give us this day (today) our daily bread
“Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift. That’s why we call it, ‘the Present’ ”.
Interested to find the source of this quote I turned to Mr Google and discovered it is the title of a book of inspirational quotes for kids written by Eleanor Roosevelt.
A little more googling and I found a version by Bill Keane which I liked better to begin our devotion on the Fourth Petition. Bill was the creator of a series of cartoons called The Family Circus, you may already know his work and I intend to research him further.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present”.
The fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer invites us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. This petition focuses on today not yesterday or tomorrow, and our daily bread is God’s gift or present, to us every day. This gift comes to everyone whether part of God’s family or not, whether asked for or not. Many times I’ve heard from gift givers, “and they didn’t even thank me.” ‘Thinking people thank’, ‘Thanksgiving is thanks living’, are both simple statements which remind us to be aware of not just the kindness of others but the Giver of All Good Gifts, our God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above, then thank the Lord O thank the Lord for all his love is the refrain from Hymn 563
Luther listed 22 examples that he counted as ‘daily bread’, beginning with food and drink which are essential to human life. Teaching children to say a blessing before and after meals is such a simple way to acknowledge his gifts each day to us. Even nonbelievers recognise that there is a giver of gifts. Gatherings of family and friends will acknowledge and thank, though not necessarily include the true Giver.
Everything that supports our daily life is God’s who gives to everyone freely, no strings attached. He wants us to use these gifts not just for ourselves but also for the good of others.
Luther ends his list with health, discipline, honour, good friends, faithful neighbours and the like. He points out that God cares for our mental and emotional health as well as our physical needs and wants us to give thanks for them too.
Father in heaven we humbly acknowledge you as the giver of all we need to support this body and life. Thank you faithful Lord
Father you want us to use our time and talents to work honestly and faithfully for financial reward. Thank you generous Lord
Father you ask us to share these gifts with those in need and you will bless them.
Thank you caring Lord
Father, by your Holy Spirit, increase our faith in Jesus, your Son, our Saviour he is your greatest gift.
Thank you most loving and forgiving Lord.
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