Text: “Give us this day our daily bread” Matthew 6:11
This prayer begins with “Our Father…” But God also compares His relationship with His people to a nursing mother. Isaiah 49:15 reads, “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb, even these may forget but I won’t forget you.”
And the apostle Paul does the same in his letter to the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 2:7 reads, “We proved to be gentle among you like a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”
“Give us this day our daily bread” gives instruction and insight applicable to us all, but this morning I want to direct it specifically to mothers. And I want to do so by taking this seven-word phrase into sections.
Mothers are caregivers. But they are caregivers who also need care. And God wants to deliver heavenly care to earthly mothers.
1. “Give us…”
This phrase, “give us” helps us to see God properly. He is a giver. He is an abundant giver. He gives in love, and He loves to give.
• Isaiah 30:18 “The Lord longs to be gracious to you.”
• Matthew 5:45 “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
• Acts 17:25 “He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.”
This prayer invites us to approach God with open hands, and say “give us…”
With God there is no such thing as asking too much. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 invites you to ask without ceasing.
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
So you can freely say, “Give us.”
2. “Give us this day”
Jesus’ words direct us to not be overwhelmed by the size of the problem, but to focus on the need of today.
• Do not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34). Each day brings its own challenges.
• Praise be to the Lord who daily bears our burdens. (Psalm 68:19).
• Great is Thy Faithfulness: “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
• He awakens me morning by morning to listen (Isaiah 50:4).
3. Give us this day “our…”
“Our” connects us with others. It represents community. It means we are not alone in our neediness, in our challenges.
• 1 Peter 5:9 tells us our faith is fortified by knowing our brethren our experiencing the same kinds of trials.
4. Give us this day our daily bread.
Daily bread is freshly baked and lovingly served each day. Daily bread is bread for today’s need. It is the grace that is sufficient for today. In the words of the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” daily bread is “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Mothers need the daily bread of:
• Nourishment. Like a mother preparing a meal, God wants to nourish your inner self.
• Peace. As a mother calms a troubled child, God wants to give you His peace in the midst of the chaos.
• Wisdom. Just as a mother imparts practical advice, ask God wants to provide wisdom to guide you as a mom. Particularly with boundaries. Setting them for yourself as well as your children.
• Encouragement. A mother’s encouragement is a heavenly balm for the spirit.
• Spiritual awareness. As you try to make your children aware of God’s blessings and provision, ask Him to make you aware of them in the context of motherhood.
You don’t need to be a Christian to be a good mother, but a Christian mother has access to supernatural resources that greatly assist her in motherhood.
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