David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 6:1-15

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹  Pray then like this:

It it was simply a matter of daily bread, virtually everyone who reads this blog would be satisfied. I have no doubt about having more than enough food for this day. Even if we were to take Luther’s approach in this regard, and list all the things that are included in this prayer for daily bread (see his exhaustive list below; note he ends the list with the words, “and the like”!). Today I need a bit more; I need to know the the extra effort to succeed is worth it. I need to know that the extra mile I must walk for the sake of my brother will get us both where we need to be.

I suspect that others might have similar challenges – and even greater ones – before them today. Maybe it is being respectful and kind to an unreasonable supervisor at work. Perhaps it’s staying in a long-term battle against an addition. Likely some wonder whether it would be OK after all to cut a corner or two on the expense voucher or let the report slide by that actually needs a bit more work. Maybe it is forgiving a loved-one for some really hurtful things he said. Possibly it is staying in the battle to lose weight, or control spending, or improve grades.

Porgy sings, “I gets weary and sick of trying…” Sometimes we find ourselves there. And we lose site of the simplest and most basic of our needs. We lose sight of God’s daily provision of our needs. Our hearts grow cold (or at least weary), rather than being filled with thanks to God for his daily provision. Perhaps that is why this petition of the Lord’s prayer is so vital – as much a reminder of what really is necessary and a call to be thankful to God for his daily provision as it is a prayer for that which he has already given in such abundance.

Two Bible passages (and Luther’s words) will keep me centered today as I pray, “give us this day our daily bread.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 [The Message]

With all this [the victory and hope of the resurrection] going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Timothy 6:8

But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

From Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, What is meant by daily bread?

Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.