Podcast Summary: "Petition: Our Daily Bread"
Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
Host/Author: Tim Keller
Episode: Petition: “Our Daily Bread”
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Petition: Our Daily Bread," Dr. Tim Keller delves into a profound exploration of the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on the petitionary aspect—“Give us this day our daily bread.” Drawing from his extensive experience as the founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and a renowned author, Keller offers deep theological insights into the nature and effectiveness of petitionary prayer.
Understanding the Lord's Prayer (00:26 - 04:00)
Keller begins by reciting the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing its comprehensive nature:
- Adoration and Praise: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
- Submission to God's Will: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
- Petitionary Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread..."
- Forgiveness and Deliverance: "Forgive us our debts... deliver us from the evil one."
He notes that while many are drawn to the petitionary part of the prayer—seeking God to change their circumstances—it cannot be fully understood in isolation. Instead, it must be seen in relation to the other components of the prayer.
Notable Quote:
"Petitionary prayer does work. Prayer does change things, but it only works if you understand the instructions Jesus gives us here."
— Tim Keller [03:45]
Four Essentials for Effective Petitionary Prayer (04:01 - 15:45)
Keller outlines four critical elements that must accompany petitionary prayer for it to be effective:
-
Confidence:
Believing in God's power."Petitionary prayer only works if you get confident knowing His power."
— Tim Keller [06:10] -
Perspective:
Understanding God's glory and sovereignty."You must understand His glory to gain the proper perspective before you ask."
— Tim Keller [07:35] -
Humility:
Recognizing God's wisdom over our understanding."You have to get humble by seeing His wisdom."
— Tim Keller [12:00] -
Reconciliation:
Accepting that God is God and we are not, fostering a dependent relationship."You have to be reconciled to the fact that He's God and you're not."
— Tim Keller [14:20]
Keller emphasizes that without these elements, petitionary prayers may be ineffective or misunderstood.
The Father's Heart and Human Perspective (15:46 - 25:30)
Using relatable analogies, Keller illustrates the difference between human and divine perspectives in prayer:
-
Safety Catch vs. Genie Model:
Comparing petitionary prayer to a microwave with safety features versus the unpredictable nature of a genie granting any wish."Prayer in the genie terms is vastly different from praying to our heavenly Father."
— Tim Keller [17:50] -
Parental Wisdom:
Just as parents discern the true needs behind a child's requests, God discerns our heart's desires beyond our immediate requests."Good parents always distinguish between the need and the child's interpretation of the need."
— Tim Keller [19:30]
He recounts personal experiences and biblical examples, such as Paul's prayers, to illustrate how God often provides what we need in ways we might not initially understand.
Notable Quote:
"God always gives you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows."
— Tim Keller [22:15]
Humility and Childlikeness in Prayer (25:31 - 32:30)
Keller discusses the importance of approaching God with humility, akin to a child's dependence on a loving parent. He underscores that recognizing our own limitations and God's greater wisdom fosters a more effective and genuine prayer life.
-
Acknowledging Dependency:
Understanding that we are not in control and are entirely dependent on God for our needs."Prayer is the way you get reconciled to you being really human."
— Tim Keller [29:10] -
Transforming Consciousness:
Prayer transforms our perception, aligning it with God's perspective and deepening our reliance on Him."Until you are reconciled to the fact that you are a dependent creature and you are not God, none of this will work."
— Tim Keller [31:00]
Notable Quote:
"The more you see you're a child, the more you acknowledge that you're a child, the more His fatherly power explodes into your life."
— Tim Keller [30:50]
Conclusion and Prayer (32:31)
The episode concludes with Keller leading a prayer, encapsulating the key themes discussed:
- Reverent Submission:
Seeking to understand and honor God's will above our own desires. - Dependence on God:
Recognizing God as our strength and all-in-all.
Closing Prayer Excerpt:
"Our Father, we pray that you would help us to see through your Son, Jesus, what it really means to be a child... Help us also to see you as our all in all. We pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen."
— Tim Keller [32:00]
Final Thoughts
In "Petition: Our Daily Bread," Dr. Tim Keller provides a nuanced understanding of petitionary prayer, urging believers to approach God with confidence, proper perspective, humility, and a reconciled heart. By aligning our prayers with these principles, we can engage in a more meaningful and effective dialogue with our heavenly Father.
For more sermons and resources, visit www.gospelinlife.com.