The Bread of Wonder
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus teaches us how to pray.
“After this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.” Matthew 6:9-13
In this, I would like to focus on the prayer for “Daily bread.”
The Meaning of Daily Bread
In the original literal translation, it reads differently. It says, “The bread necessary for us, give us today.”
Bread is a staple of life, and Jesus teaches us to pray for it daily. This echoes an event in the life of the children of Israel when they entered the wilderness from Egypt.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a certain amount every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.’ Exodus 16
The Wonder of Manna
“What is this manna?” The word “manna” means “What is this?” It was an exclamation of wonder.
God provided bread daily. “Daily bread.”
Losing the Sense of Wonder
The Lord Jehovah provided daily bread. But somewhere along the line, the Jews lost their sense of wonder at the bread, just as it happens to you and me.
It is so easy to lose our sense of wonder.
The Greater Need for Wonder
No doubt we need to pray for daily bread, but the greater need in our lives is to pray for wonder for the bread. We need a fresh appreciation for what the Lord provides every day. Day in and day out. When we lie our heads down at night, wake up in the morning, and face difficulties, troubles, trials, difficult people, traffic, broken air conditioners, burst water pipes, and headaches, we still have bread.
Restoring Joy and Appreciation
Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.”
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.”
I believe there is a direct connection to Wonder and Joy.
When we are no longer in awe of God’s daily blessings, joy is not possible.
The Bread of His Presence
There was a table in the holy place called the showbread, meaning the bread of His presence, for the priests to eat daily.
Is not this the bread we must seek, the bread of His presence?
I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter his courts with praise, I will say this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice for He has made me glad!
Father, I pray for a renewed sense of wonder and thereby walk in greater joy in my daily life.
Restore unto me the wonder of your daily bread.
In Him, By Him, Through Him!
Scott A. Phillips