How to Pray for Our Daily Bread (1692)

Jesus’s model prayer in Matthew 6 teaches us that it is not the length or language of our prayers, but their faith and focus that elevate them to Heaven. Verse 11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread is symbolic of any need we may have. It gives God honor to meet our needs. Adrian Rogers gives four steps on how to pray for our daily bread.

1. We must establish a proper priority.
2. We must express our prayerful petition.
3. You must exercise a personal performance.
4. You must enjoy a present provision.
Notice the priority established in Matthew 6:9-13: Thy name, Thy kingdom, Thy will, our bread, our debts, our temptation. If we don't establish this priority, we will not see an answer. Adrian Rogers says, “There's one place that God will not work and that is second place.”

Adrian Rogers tells us, “Prayer is the key that unlocks heaven’s treasury.” God will not meet greed, but He delights in meeting every need. He says “Ask of me and I will answer thee.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

We must learn to ask: “Give us this day bread sufficient for us: what we need.”

Proverbs 30:7-8 “Two things have I required of thee. Deny me them not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food convenient for me.”

Prayer is not a substitute for work and diligence. Proverbs 20:4 says, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold. Therefore shall he beg in harvest and have nothing.”

We show our faith by doing something, for faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

If we do not learn to be content in any state, we will never be content. The Bible does not tell us not to plan, but the Bible very clearly tells us not to worry.

Be content with a little and don’t worry about tomorrow. Who needs a barn of stale bread when our Father is a Rich Baker?

Apply it to your life
When you pray for God’s daily provision, are your priorities aligned with His? Have you asked for His providence? Are you prepared to work for what you’re asking for? Are you thankful for what He’s given you today?