In what ways can you express gratitude for God's daily provisions? The Daily Bread Request “Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:3 Jesus’ model prayer begins with worship, moves to surrender, and quickly lands on need. By teaching us to ask for “daily bread,” He reminds us that every bite, every breath, and every blessing come from the Father’s hand. Recognizing the Bread behind the Bread • Food on the table • Work and income • Health and strength • Wisdom and opportunities • Peace, safety, and relationships Psalm 145:15-16 affirms it: “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Gratitude Spoken: Words that Honor the Giver • Begin and end the day with explicit thanks (Psalm 92:1-2). • Offer grace at every meal, acknowledging the Source. • Include thanksgiving in every prayer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 • Tell family and friends how God met a specific need today. Gratitude Lived: Contentment and Stewardship • Practice contentment: “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” 1 Timothy 6:8 • Refuse waste—plan meals, use leftovers, repair instead of replace. • Keep a budget that treats every dollar as God’s dollar. • Rest one day a week; trusting God enough to cease striving is worshipful gratitude (Exodus 16:29-30). Gratitude Shared: Generosity • Give to those in need—locally and globally. • Support gospel work so others can learn of the true Bread of Life. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed…You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.” Gratitude Proclaimed: Testimony • Keep a “provision journal” and revisit it with others. • Tell children and grandchildren the stories of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 78:4). • Use social and conversational moments to credit God rather than luck. Gratitude Rested: Trust over Worry Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Living free of anxiety about tomorrow is itself an offering of thanks, proving we believe the Father will still be faithful tomorrow. Gratitude Expanded: Seeing the Greater Bread John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger…’” Daily loaves point to the Savior who sustains eternally. Rejoicing in physical provision naturally overflows into worship for the spiritual provision already secured at the cross. Putting It All Together • Speak thanks—morning, mealtime, evening. • Live thanks—content, careful, generous. • Share thanks—testify, teach, encourage. • Rest in thanks—trust God with tomorrow. • Worship in thanks—celebrate the Bread of Life. Every act of gratitude becomes a fresh amen to Luke 11:3, joyfully acknowledging the Father who still gives “each day our daily bread.” |