Give us this day our daily bread. The first personal petition is for daily bread — the present provision of ordinary physical need. The manna that Israel received one day at a time in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4) is the background image: the God who provided manna daily is the Father who gives daily bread. The daily limitation is significant: not bread for a month, not provision that eliminates the need to ask tomorrow. The prayer for daily bread cultivates the daily dependence that is the posture of the kingdom community. Proverbs 30:8–9 wisely requests neither poverty nor riches but only the daily food — the Lord's Prayer asks for the same sufficiency that promotes trust.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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