June 12, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 4th Petition

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 10:1-23; Proverbs 11:1-12:28; John 14:1-17

What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We need to be reminded to be grateful. Ouch. A quick ‘thanks,’ is sufficient, right? I do have other things to get done - I have money to make, groceries to buy, errands to run…I’m taking care of my life!

Hmmm. Maybe this Petition is worth some time and reflection.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we are given the Petition ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ This is not some type of magic incantation that allows pizza to softly float down to our dinner tables. No, this is a reminder that God DOES give us what we need. Our daily needs are met. Furthermore, none of this is done with our control or effort. As Luther explains, God certainly gives without our prayers.

We are given this Petition so we might pause and reflect on God’s character. God is merciful, abundant, and loving. He gives more than we can even imagine. He had a plan for our salvation before the world even existed. He certainly provides for our needs of body and soul.

When we are tempted to think about our own efforts in ‘meeting our needs,’ we should repent. We must remember that it is God who provides the sunshine, air, dirt, and seeds that will one day be wheat for flour (for that pizza!). It is God who equips farmers, truck drivers, and store owners - all those who help us find the food that is necessary for sustaining our bodies (which are also Gifts from God). And this Petition reminds us that God gives us ALL that is needed for our body and life - not *only* the food that we daily receive.

Indeed, this part of the Lord’s Prayer is a powerful and humbling reminder that God is in control, and this is good. God knows our needs and meets them - without our asking, our assistance, or even our thanks. We get to reflect on all that God gives and all that He is, and then give Him thanksgiving. We are reminded of who He is: the One who sent His own perfect Son to die in the place of sinners. The one who defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil for us. The one who calls us His own in Baptism and feeds us Jesus’ Body and Blood. Yes! We have so much to give thanks for - we have a generous and loving God!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God makes the clouds rain goodness, The deserts bloom and spring, The hills leap up in gladness, The valleys laugh and sing. God fills them with His fullness, All things with large increase; He crowns the year with blessing, With plenty and with peace. (LSB 893:2)

Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.