Lord Teach us to Pray 3

I. Introduction

A. Do we have a culture of prayer. Our first thought is not to do but to pray.

B. The Lord’s prayer is actually broken up into two sections. The first is to hallow His name, ask for the Kingdom to come, and His will. The last three have to do with out personal request.

In the first three we speak our burning heart for His glory and the last three our complete dependance on His grace.

C. We are to come to our God focused on his glory, his rule, his heart first. Just that perspective changes our prayers for our bread, forgiveness, and deliverance. We can’t be the center no matter how dire our situation.

Matthew 6:32–33 (NIV) “32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The answer to any problem is to de-center yourself first. Pray his heart before your own and you will find your heart changed.

II. Give us daily bread.

The deal with “daily.” The problem with this word is that scholars really don’t know what it means. It is a compound word that we aren’t sure about. It’s no where else in the Bible or ancient literature. There are three viable options of what “daily bread” is talking about:

A. Bread for physical nourishment

1. “For Existence” - the bread for survival.

First thought for a Jew is Exodus 16 and the manna from heaven. Given just enough for survival in the desert.

Matthew 6:31–32 (NIV) “31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

The unbelieving world has always been consumed with it’s own provision. We have a provider, Jehovah Jireh!

I wonder about all the stories in this room of how God showed up to provide exactly what you needed, when you needed it!

2. “For Today” - just enough bread for today.

Exodus 16:17–18 (NIV)17 “The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.”

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) - 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Is having savings, investments, retirement wrong? No unless they replace trusting God.

How much is too much money for a Christian? Whatever amount replaces trusting God to provide daily.

The real problem is not receiving to little bread but instead too much.

How is your daily trust of God. How present are you in the present is many times a litmus test of trust in God.

B. Bread for spiritual nourishment

3. “For the Coming Day” - give us the bread for what’s next.

In John 6 the context if the feeding of the five thousand. The multitudes are following Jesus thinking he is like Moses. They are looking for daily bread. To this Jesus says…

John 6:32–35 (NIV) “32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

When Jesus at the end of this chapter begins to shift the diet from physical to spiritual the crowds leave.

Jesus’ words to your life, Jesus’ presence to your life is even more critical that bread.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

And just like the manna, yesterdays revelation or word is not enough for today. Are you receiving a fresh word from God?

III. Conclusion and Invitation

A. How is your “daily bread.” Is God faithfully providing for the day and whatever is coming next? Do we trust Jehovah Jireh.

B. Matthew 6:9–13 (NIV) “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.’”