Day 6. Day by Day
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"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
This seems a very small thing to ask — only bread for a day. Why are we not taught to pray for bread enough to last a week, or a month, or a year? For one thing, Jesus wanted to teach us the lesson of continual dependence. He taught us to come each morning with a request simply for the day's food — that we might never feel we can get along without our Father.
Another lesson He wanted to teach us, was that the true way to live is by the day. We are not to be anxious even about the supply of tomorrow's needs. When tomorrow comes — it will be right for us to take up its cares. The same great lesson was taught in the way the manna was given — just a day's portion at a time.
We should not over look the word "us." It is plural and bids us to send thought beyond our own individual need — and remember God's other children. This should always be a prayer for daily bread for our hungry neighbour — as well as for ourselves. Then while we thus enjoy our own plenty, we must share with those who have need.
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