“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 NIV)
“Well, I guess all we can do now is pray…”
Ever heard those words? Every said those words?
Yes, there’s a recognition in them that we are at the end of ourselves and our own resources to address a situation. So, there’s a humility in those words.
Sometimes, I fear, they indicate that we did everything we could think of first and since that didn’t work, now prayer is what is left.
But prayer is not our last resort. It should be our first impulse.
The Apostle Peter states plainly how desirous God is to hear our every prayer:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Our lives are filled with anxiety. Regarding our health, our kids, our marriages, our dating, our friendships, our parents, our schools, our companies, our jobs, our communities, our nation, our world. And we need hold none of this back from God.
I don’t want to stray too far from the literal prayer for daily food here, however, when we pray for daily provision, we are acknowledging that we need God in our lives at the most basic of levels for our well-being. And God’s concern for us doesn’t stop there: “all your anxiety.”
Praying for daily provision can teach us to bring our whole lives to God in prayer, and regularly.
Prayer is not “Plan B.” Prayer is not intended as a last resort, but as our first impulse.
Prayer: God, teach me today to give you every anxiety. Remind me of your deep care and love for me. Make prayer my first impulse and not my last resort. Amen.
Guy M Williams 