The Father knows what we need

Today's readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19; Matthew 6:7-15

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


How often do we pray this without considering what we are saying? This is a powerful prayer! Lives would change dramatically, if we meant and lived into this prayer as often as we pray it.

I love that before teaching us this prayer, Jesus reminds us of the love of the Father. Jesus tells us that the Father already knows what we need before we ask. I am reminded of my earthly father. He is a great man, and one of the greatest qualities about him is his huge desire to help his children and grandchildren whenever possible. Many times we will mention a situation or frustration going on, and a few days later my dad has not only come up with a solution (often times consulting with my mom on details), but he usually has created or purchased the things we need to help us. All of us feel so very fortunate to have parents that listen to the things we say and continually find ways to care for us.

But, they don't know what we need before we tell them. They are impressive in so many ways, but they can not read my heart and mind. However, my heavenly Father does! He knows all about me! He knows what will help me better than I will even know! Just because he knows this, it doesn't mean he doesn't want us to tell/ask him. He wants us to desire to share our heart with him. He wants us to approach him with open arms and allow him to help us. He desires us!

In reminding us that the Father knows what we need before we ask, Jesus is reminding us that we will be most fulfilled when we seek out the Father's will. Again, he knows what is going to help us better than we do. So, why not try to be the best and most complete person?

In this beautiful prayer, Jesus gives us the opportunity to ask God for our daily bread. I've always found that a difficult line, as it requires so much work on my part. Often I feel like He trusts me more than I trust myself. Or, I really want something to happen and worry that it isn't going to be the thing that will help me grow. I think that is probably a reality for most people. We want to be happy, but we don't want to have to work at it. We just want it to come to us. But, that may not always be the thing that helps us the most. 

When I played sports, I had to go to practice every day. Even on the weekends, if I wanted to be good at soccer, basketball, or swimming I had to spend some of my free time working through all the small details of the sport so that I can be successful. I had to work, even when I didn't want to. 

The same is true for the rest of our lives. If we want to be holy (which is should be the goal of everyone), then we need to work at it. We have to practice holiness daily. Luckily, God knows what we need today to be holy! What a great reminder every time we pray this prayer that God wants our best, and he is only going to give us the things we need today to take care of today.

Thank you Lord for giving me my daily bread!