Dear Christian friends:

In this Fourth Petition Jesus teaches us to pray for "bread." Martin Luther explains about the "bread." He writes, "Daily bread is everything that we need to support our body, such as food, home, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like."

Therefore, when we pray for "bread" we are really praying for many other things, which we need for our body and life. In the other six petitions we pray for spiritual things, the blessings we need for our soul, such as faith, forgiveness, love for God etc., but in this petition we pray for the things our body needs. Jesus teaches us not to worry, but to look to God for bread, clothes, house and family etc.

Therefore let us consider this Fourth Petition that Jesus teaches us:

When Martin Luther explains this Fourth Petition in his Small Catechism he says, "God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer, also to all the wicked." I'm sure you have noticed that also. God blesses unbelievers and those who never pray with food, good jobs, money, even riches. Often the unbelievers are richer than we Christians. Jesus teaches this also. He says, "God lets His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

Well, if that is true and we know it is true, why should we pray for bread? Our praying doesn't really give us any more bread. Luther answers that question. He says, "God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer, also to all the wicked; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving."

Every time we pray: "Give us this day our daily bread, "it reminds us that God is the One who gives us bread, clothes, house, family, friends, good government, good weather, and health. And we need that reminder!

We easily become proud and think, that we made it or earned it and God had nothing to do with it. People are proud and say, "I worked hard for what I have! I was not lazy. I was smart! Others who have little or nothing are lazy and dumb!" We should not say that! We should be humble and say, "God has blessed me. I do not deserve all these many things I have."

Jacob confessed that. When he came home after working twenty-one years for his uncle Laban he was a very rich man with two wives, twelve children, many cattle and sheep, many servants and soldiers. Jacob confessed, "Lord, You kept Your promise to me and gave me all these things. I am not worthy of one of them. But You have shown mercy to me." (Genesis 32:10)

When Peter saw the many fishes they had caught, two boats full, he knelt down before Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinner man." (Luke 5:10) Therefore let us say this prayer daily: "Give us this day our daily bread." By saying it we confess that God gives us everything we have although we are unworthy of it we show humble thanks to Him.

Notice also that Jesus teaches us to pray, "Give us this day, our daily bread." Jesus teaches us to pray only for what we need "this day". Jesus wants us to pray each day for what we need today. He doesn't want us to worry about tomorrow. God will take care of us tomorrow, the same as He does today. If you say this prayer everyday, and believe, your worries will vanish!

Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (food, clothes, house, health,friends) will be added unto you. Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow." (Matthew 6:33-34)

Therefore, pray this petition everyday! You will be more humble, more thankful, and no worries! You have a wise and rich Father in heaven. He can and does take care of you and all your needs!

Amen.