I'm sure I've prayed this petition of the Lord's Prayer thousands of time over my lifetime. I've taught Luther's Small Catechism to confirmands for over 30 years, including what he says about this petition. For me, it is first of all a reminder that "daily bread," which Luther defines as "everything required to satisfy our bodily needs, such as food and clothing, house and home, fields and flocks, money and property, ..." is a gift of a gracious God. I admit, I may not always pray as thoughtfully as I should when I say the Lord's Prayer, but regardless of my attentiveness, the "daily bread" petition reminds me that God is the source of life. My groceries don't simply come from Smith's. The clothes I wear are not simply from Kohl's. The money and property I have is not simply a result of my personal resourcefulness. They are gifts of God.
God provides these gifts says Luther (and Jesus), to all people, good or bad. But, as today's devotion suggests, there is a distribution problem. "Such an abundance of resources God has provided, but so unevenly shared." writes Christina Jackson-Skelton. And so "Give us this day our daily bread" becomes more than just a prayer for our personal needs. It's a prayer for daily bread wherever there is poverty and hunger. We ought not says these words without thinking about the need for daily bread among so many near and far. This prayer becomes a prayer for others, as well as a prayer for action for us to respond to that need as we are able. In what ways has God provided "daily bread" for you? Offer a prayer of thanks today. But also think about those whose "daily bread" may be limited or inadequate today. Offer a prayer for them as well, that God will meet their needs. And finally, pray that God will show you ways to respond, ways to share your "daily bread" with others.
Christina's story about the value of corn and a few sticks for a cooking fire was so poignant. Our own resources, even when limited, are abundant by comparison. This is an important call to not only pray for everyone's needs, but as you say, Pastor, to act by sharing.
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