For many in North America who pray this prayer today, it seems more sentimental than practical. For most people living in the western world, we might wonder what we will eat that day, but we have little doubt that we will eat. Yet Jesus instructed His disciples to ask God daily for their food.
In Jesus’ day, meat was a luxury not often experienced by the common laborer. Bread was the staple that filled people’s bellies and gave them strength for each day. If someone had his daily bread, plus water, he could put in a good day’s labor.
Jesus was instructing His followers never to take their basic provision for granted. We might have plenty of money today, but even extremely wealthy people have been reduced to poverty through financial disasters. Others have suffered debilitating health decline. It is foolish to become proud in one’s own strength and independence, for they can evaporate like the morning dew.
Our problem is that when we become financially secure, we instinctively begin to trust in our money rather than in God. We assume our income can purchase tomorrow’s bread. That is why Jesus instructed us to pray daily to God for even our most basic needs. We must never forget that He is ultimately the supplier of everything we need. Should we lose sight of that, God may choose to remind us of just how desperately we depend upon Him, day by day.