The Lord’s Prayer: Reflection V

The Lord’s Prayer with Emphasis Placed on

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

This fifth reflection on the Lord’s Prayer turns our eyes toward the Father and how he provides for our every material and spiritual need.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. – Your name, Father, is great and to be praised because you are the only one who can and will provide everything we need both materially and spiritually through divine intervention or the works of your creation.

Your kingdom come, (on earth as it is in heaven.) – Father, guide my eyes so they are focused on your heavenly kingdom, my heart thankful for your daily providence, and my life salt and light to a dark and starving world.

Your will be done, (on earth as it is in heaven.) – Father, guide my heart and mind to be immersed in the holiness of your will so that my thoughts, words, and actions are sanctified. Allow me to become a message and an example for the world to see the beauty and peace that comes from following your ways every day.

And forgive us our debts, – Father, let me partake in the bread of your forgiveness by confessing my sins and gratefully receiving your pardon each day.

As we also have forgiven our debtors. – Father, give me the strength and courage to offer the bread of your forgiveness every day to any and all who are indebted to me.

And lead us not into temptation – Father, guide me and grant me perseverance each day so that I might walk through your narrow gate of righteousness and along the difficult path of your calling to be holy and sanctified.

But deliver us from evil. – Father, let your daily bread sustain and protect me as I encounter evil forces, evil teachings, and the evil one in both the darkness of the world around me and the deep places of my own heart.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. – Father, let your daily bread nourish and strengthen me with the faith needed to trust that your kingdom, Father, is unlike any earthly kingdom — eternally powerful and glorious — and let that faith mold and direct each and every choice I make.