“The Provision of Prayer” (Part 5)

THE LORD’S PRAYER Sermon Series

“The Provision of Prayer” (Part 5)

KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 6:11 (NASB)

Gracious Father, You are the Giver of every good and perfect gift. We have lifted our voices in praise and worship; now we quiet our hearts to receive Your Word. Feed us today with the bread of heaven, and let Your truth nourish every soul in this sanctuary. May Your provision be more than sustenance; may it be revelation, transformation, and peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. You may be seated.

TITHE and OFFERING

As we continue in worship, we will call on the ushers to pass around the offering plates to receive our tithes and offerings. The worship team will lead us with a song as we give to God our gifts. May this moment be marked by joy, lifted in heartfelt praise, and anchored in true worship as we give generously and faithfully to the ongoing work of Christ’s church.

PRAYER FOR TITHE and OFFERING

Lord Jesus, You who gave everything for us, receive these offerings as expressions of our devotion. May they be used to advance Your gospel, build up Your church, and bless Your people. We give with grateful and joyful hearts. Amen.

WELCOME

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Service. We are glad you have joined us today. Let’s take a moment to stand and greet one another. If you are visiting for the first time, we would love to recognize and welcome you.

ANNOUNCEMENT

📖Wednesday Night Bible Study Connect Join us every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for a time of learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we study the Word of God. We are currently in the Book of First Samuel, and this week we will focus on Chapter 19. Come ready to grow, connect, and be encouraged in your walk with Christ Jesus.  📅Corporate Prayer Meeting: We gather every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the fellowship hall for a time of prayer. All are welcome as we seek the Lord together in unity and intercession. The Church Leadership Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM. All ministry leaders are kindly asked to attend. Your presence is crucial as we continue to strengthen our leadership, align our vision, and prepare for the upcoming season. Women’s Night is Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM. All women are invited to join us for a powerful evening of connection, praise, and spiritual renewal.

DECLARATION of FAITH in GOD

Let us stand and say the Declaration of Faith in God together. Please remain standing as we pray.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Let us pray. Holy and eternal God, speak now through Your living Word. By Your Spirit, awaken the hearts of the humble, restore the broken, challenge the complacent, and empower the faithful. May Your truth take root in us, bearing fruit for Your glory and the good of Your church. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our foundation and our hope. Amen. You may be seated.

SERMON INTRODUCTION WITH ILLUSTRATION  

A little boy once bowed his head before dinner and prayed, “Lord, I thank You for this macaroni and cheese. And if you don’t mind, could you please make sure there is dessert too?” The little boy’s words were simple, but his heart was confident; he believed God cared about both his hunger and his hope.

SERMON EXPOSITION 1

That childlike trust is at the heart of Matthew 6:11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” But please notice this request doesn’t come first. Jesus begins the prayer in verse 9 with “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” That is a call to honor God, His holiness, His glory, and His majesty. Then we move to God’s program: “Your kingdom come.” Prayer aligns us with God’s authority, awakens us to His glory, and commissions us with His gospel. Next is God’s priority: “Your will be done.” Before we ask for anything, [Watch This], we are called to surrender and to align our desires with God’s divine will. And then we arrive at God’s provision: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It is not that God resists our requests. God desires that our prayers be framed by reverence in His presence, alignment with His will, submission to His authority, adoration of His character, and readiness for His assignment. So, the question becomes: Is what you are asking and praying for in sync with what God is doing? Are your desires nested within God’s kingdom and aligned with God’s will?

We are halfway through our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer, and today we turn our attention to: The Provision of Prayer. We will explore what it means to pray for daily bread in a way that honors God’s order, trusts God’s timing, and embraces God’s heart. The goal of today’s message is that our prayers would mirror the priorities found in Christ’s own prayer, beginning first with God’s glory, and then attending to our human needs. The Lord’s Prayer unfolds in two distinct movements. The first is vertical, lifting our hearts toward the holiness, supremacy, and will of God. The second is horizontal, drawing attention to the tangible realities of daily life and to our need for provision, forgiveness, and spiritual guidance. When most believers pray through this framework, their petitions begin to reflect God’s will, God’s priority, and God’s redemptive program. They are touching base with eternal truths and allowing their prayers to be shaped by the heart of heaven.

You see, far too often our prayers begin with a rapid-fire “Lord, give me… give me… give me…”But little thought is given to how God begins with the saint. God says, “Give Me… your worship, give me your devotion, your surrender, and your alignment.” God desires that our prayers begin with a divine orientation toward Him: hallowing His name, submitting to His kingdom, and committing to His will. Jesus, in the Lord’s Prayer, moves us from God’s glory to God’s provision, then to God’s pardon, and finally to God’s protection. God’s Glory: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done…” God’s Provision: “Give us this day our daily bread…”God’s Pardon: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…” God’s Protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Here is the bottom line: you are in a far better position [a far better place] in verse 11—“Give us this day our daily bread” only if you have already handled the business of verses 9 and 10. You will see more clarity, more answers, and more alignment when you have hallowed God’s name, served God’s kingdom, and submitted to God’s will.

SERMON EXPOSITION 2

Most people don’t think twice about their car’s tires until they are worn out. You can have a powerful engine, a full tank of gas, and a clear destination, but if your tires lack traction, your journey is compromised. The vehicle may be capable, but it is limited by what touches the ground. In the same way, our bodies are the contact point between heaven’s purpose and earth’s reality. You can have spiritual vision, divine calling, and kingdom ambition, but [Watch This] if your body is neglected, fatigued, or broken, your ability to carry out God’s will, God’s program, and God’s agenda is hindered.

Your body matters to God. Your physical frame is not incidental; it is instrumental. Anything God desires to do in history — among His people and through His people — He always uses embodied vessels. Our humanity is God’s conduit. It is the means by which God’s invisible purposes become visible in time and space. That is why Jesus, in teaching us to pray, includes the request: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

This is not just about food; it is about sustenance, strength, and stewardship. God cares about our bodies because He works through them. To the extent that God empowers us, we want to keep our bodies in peak condition and performance, not for vanity, but for kingdom purpose, not for self-glory, but for kingdom service. Over the next few moments, I want to draw out four foundational truths from this phrase that reveal God’s deep concern for our humanity and His faithful provision for the mission He has entrusted to us.

First, let’s consider the source of our daily bread. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” But who are we asking? When we say “Give us,” we are speaking to the same One we addressed at the beginning of the prayer in verse 9, Our Father. This is a direct petition to the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Provider. You see, our daily bread is sourced in God Himself. Our provision flows from God’s hands.

This truth reaches back to the beginning of creation. God formed the vegetation, shaped the animals, and gave Adam the task of naming them. [Watch This] Adam’s ability to eat was rooted in God’s creative act. No creation—no food. No divine initiative—no daily bread. The creative genius of God sustained Adam’s physical well-being in a physical world. But we know the story: sin invaded creation, and with it came disorder, decay, and disruption. What was once an automatic blessing became a struggle. Thorns, thistles, and weeds began to choke the ground. Creation itself was cursed. But in this prayer, God invites us to come to Him by faith and say, “You give us our daily bread.”

Or to put this another way: God, I am trusting You to override the curse. God, I am banking on Your provision to push back what sin and Satan have tried to corrupt. God, I am asking You to bless what You originally designed to be a blessing. If you don’t believe the curse is real and still active, just listen to the news. Every week, something new threatens your health, and by next week, they will change their mind. One day, coffee is a carcinogen; the next day, coffee is a superfood. That kind of confusion is part of the curse. That is why 1 Timothy 4:5 says we sanctify our food with prayer and the Word of God. We pray because we are not just receiving provision, we are seeking preservation. Unseen germs and unseen consequences of sin are addressed through prayer. Because when you ask your heavenly Father to feed you, you are declaring that you don’t want the wrong source feeding your body.

SERMON EXPOSITION 3

You may not have realized it, but the devil has a food program. In Matthew 4, the devil told Jesus, “Turn these stones into bread.” That is food, but the food wasn’t from the right source. That is devil’s food. Jesus responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” In other words, life doesn’t just come from what you eat; life comes from the hand that provided it. That is why we pray over our meals. Not just because God gave it to us, but because we don’t know what else might be in it. God is the source of your provision. And He is not just your provider; He is the provider for all creation.

Everything you have for your physical well-being is sourced in God. The grocery store is not your provider; it is just the delivery system. Whether it is vegetables from the farm or milk from the cow, it all traces back to God’s design. Seeds replicate because God ordained it. Cows produce milk because God engineered their systems to thrive on grass. No grass, no milk. No rain, no crops.

So, when food reaches your table, it is not just the result of human effort; it is the outcome of divine provision. That is why Deuteronomy 8:11 warns us, “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God.” You may push the shopping cart, stir the pot, and clock in at work, but God says in verse 18, “It is the Lord your God who gives you power to get wealth.” And how does God give you that power? Through food. You eat what God made, and that gives you strength. It is a cycle sustained by God’s grace.

And so, don’t confuse location with source. Don’t get too excited when a new store opens in your neighborhood; that is not your source. You can drive a little farther away and still find food. But if God doesn’t let it rain, now you have something to be concerned about. Why? Because provision is always sourced in God. That is why we pray, “Give us…”not just “let us find,” but “Father God, You give.” God provided it. God delivered it. That is grace. Grace is what God gives. And every time you pray for daily bread, you are declaring your dependence on God.

Secondly, the substance, what God calls bread, is sourced in Him. Back in the day, money was called “bread” because it symbolized what could feed, clothe, and keep you going. So, when Jesus teaches us to pray for daily bread, He is talking about the physical provisions of life. But here is the promise in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Watch This] When you prioritize God’s kingdom, the King provides the bread.

It is like going to work, you show up, do your job, and the boss hands you the paycheck. God says, “Focus on My kingdom, and I will take care of your provision. Your responsibility is obedience. God’s responsibility is to supply. When the kingdom is your priority, provision becomes God’s promise.”

Jesus said in John 6, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus took our physical need—bread—and revealed a spiritual truth: Jesus says, “I am your supply. I am your satisfaction.” That is why Philippians 4:19 declares, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Not out of His riches—according to them. Suppose I pour you a glass of water from a pitcher; the pitcher’s water level will drop. That is giving out of what I have. But if I connect you to a flowing spring, you receive from its source, without depletion, and without interruption. That is how God gives, not from a limited supply, but from an endless reservoir. God’s provision doesn’t subtract from His power. God can meet every need for every person at every moment and never run dry.

A businessman once approached a pastor, asking for prayer over a million-dollar deal. Before praying, the pastor asked, “What does God get out of this?” The businessman paused for a second because God had not been part of the equation. When we start with “give me” and leave God out of the purpose, we miss the point. God doesn’t mind blessing you, but He wants to know: Will His kingdom benefit from the return? Provision is not just about increase; it is about alignment with God’s kingdom.

SERMON EXPOSITION 4

God doesn’t immediately meet your need. He still meets it, but He may delay it to develop you. It is not denial; it is development. God may adjust the timing to deepen your faith and align your heart with His will. In Psalm 37:25, David could say with confidence, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging bread.” God doesn’t abandon His children. God is faithful, yesterday, today, and forever. Thirdly, notice the selflessness of this prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Not “give me.” Prayer is not just about your plate; it is about our provision. You can’t say, “Feed me,” and ignore those who are starving. If we truly embraced the “us” in this prayer, we would pause before tossing leftovers and ask, “Is someone hungry right now who I could bless?” In America, we throw away more food than many people around the world ever get to eat. Why? Because our mindset is “Give me today my daily bread,” not “Give us today our daily bread.”

It is staggering that hunger still exists in the most resource-rich nation in human history. How can anyone go hungry in a land overflowing with abundance? Because when provision becomes personal and not shared, waste becomes normal and compassion becomes optional. God is calling for corporate thinking. James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives—to spend it on your pleasures.” We say, “Lord, give me more income,” but we don’t plan to give more, share more, or serve more.

God is not just listening to your prayer request; He is examining the reason behind it. If your prayer is only about your plate, don’t be surprised if heaven stays quiet. God says, You are not the only child in this family. You can’t save the world, but if you are mindful of the us in this prayer, God may use you to answer someone else’s prayer because you are willing to be part of the provision.

SERMON EXPOSITION 4

And then, finally, the schedule “Give us this day” “this day” “our daily bread.” The word day appears twice—because God’s provision is designed to be fresh, not stockpiled. It reminds me of a man who worked in construction. Every morning before heading to the job site, he would stop by the corner bakery, not for bulk, but for that day’s bread. He didn’t want yesterday’s leftovers. He wanted the bread warm, soft, and fresh. He said, “If I am going to work hard today, I want to eat fresh today.”

That is the rhythm of heaven. God fed Israel with manna bread from above, but only enough for the day. If they gathered more than they needed, it spoiled by morning. The only exception was the Sabbath, when God allowed sufficient for two days. Stale manna was a sign of misplaced trust in God. And today, many of us are living off stale blessings stocked with provisions but starved of dependence. We have filled our freezers and emptied our prayer lives.

Why does God want you to live with daily dependence? Two reasons: it keeps you thankful and dependent. When your pantry is full, you may forget to pray until it is time to restock. But when you seek God daily, you remember who your Source is. God doesn’t mind you having abundance; He wants you to recognize that every bite, every breath, and every blessing is fresh from Him. Otherwise, we become like pets who never say thank you. That is why we say, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

SERMON CONCLUSION  – INVITATION TO FAITH, COMMISSION TO ACTION, AND CALL TO THE ALTAR

Men like George Müller still preach to us today, not with words, but with faith. He ran an orphanage in England, and one morning, they had no food. No bread. No backup plan. The children sat at the table with empty plates. Müller said, “Let’s give thanks to God.” Give thanks for what? The kids looked at him, confused. They prayed, trusting God for daily bread. And just as he said amen, there was a knock at the door. A baker arrived with surplus bread. “Mr. Müller,” he said, “I had extra bread this morning.” “It occurred to me this morning, you might need this.” That is the kind of God we serve. A God who shows up when we trust Him daily. A God who proves Himself faithful, not just in theory, but in experience. God bless you.

Maybe you have never really trusted God for daily bread. You have heard about God, perhaps even prayed to Him, but you have never leaned on God day by day. Today is your day to believe. Come to the altar. Or maybe you have been living off yesterday’s blessings. You have provision, but no fresh dependence. You have been surviving on spiritual leftovers. Today is your day to return to the Source. Come to the altar. And maybe you have been blessed — your table is full, and your life is comfortable — but your heart hasn’t been broken for anyone else. You have been blessed, but not burdened. Today is your day to say, “Lord, I am available. Use me.” Come. The altar is open. Let’s receive fresh bread from a faithful God—bread for the body, and bread for the soul.

CLOSING WORDS OF GRACE

Let us stand together and pray. Faithful God, You have taught us to ask for daily bread and to trust in Your provision with grateful hearts. As we go, may our lives reflect dependence on Your grace, generosity toward others, and confidence in Your care. Let Your provision shape our priorities, and may Your presence guide every step we take. And all God’s people say—Amen.  You are dismissed. God bless you. We look forward to seeing you next week at 10:30 a.m.