Give us this day
Lord's Prayer • Sermon • Submitted
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Millions of people in our country and thousands in our county and most likely some in our own church community are thinking about their daily bread more than ever before. It’s no secret that the economic impact of the pandemic has been dreadful. Business have folded, jobs have been lost, and if you yourself have not been affect, the chances are good that someone you know has. So as we continue our series through the Lord’s Prayer, this line: “Give us this day our daily bread” hits differently than in times past. That prayer feels more immediate than in times past.
So this morning we’re going to do something a little different. To answer our question this morning which is: what does it mean to pray, “give us this day our daily bread,” I’d like to really slow down and actually look at it word by word. First, we going to look at “Give.” When we come to the Father, we seek gifts from him. That reveals something about him and it reveals something about us. Second, the prayer is not “give me,” it is “give us.” We don’t just pray for ourselves, but this prayer reorients us to see and pray for those around us who need to receive the gifts of God. Third, we’ll look at “this day.” Why aren’t we praying for tomorrow’s bread? Why only this day’s bread? And lastly, “daily bread.” What does it mean to ask for our bread from the Father?
So turn with me to Matthew 6:7:
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father 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, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Our prayer begins with a command. “Give!” It begins with a demand, and that feels strange, doesn’t it? It feels strange because we can’t command God to do anything. He’s the one with the commandments, not us! But the Greek language that the New Testament is translated from has a nuance to their commands, and this is what’s called an imperative of entreaty. An imperative of entreaty is a command that someone gives when they are powerless. It’s the cry for help when you’re hurt or lost and you cry out, “Help me!” It’s the cry of a child for milk from her mother. It’s a command that must be heard, but it’s entirely up to the hearer to act in any way.