Why We Should Pray for God’s Provision

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:19

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). In other words, we are to ask God to take care of our daily physical needs. But we’re responsible for providing for ourselves and our families. So why are we asking God to do it?

First, I think Jesus told us to pray in this way to encourage our dependence on God. Now, as we saw in our study of the eighth commandment, work is the channel through which God pours His provision into our lives. Paul said, “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But ultimately all our physical provisions come from the hand of God.

You might think, Sure, Pastor, but I get my paycheck because of my ingenuity, creativity, and hard work. That’s what puts the bread on the table. In case you’re ever tempted to think that, remember that God provides not only your food and necessities but also your ability to work. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth.” Everything you have comes from God. Even the breath you take every day to give you the energy to go to work comes from God. You are dependent on God for everything in your life, whether you realize it or not. Praying for your daily needs is a way to remind yourself of your dependence on God.

Second, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread because it discourages materialism. Jesus didn’t say, “Give us this day our daily T-bone steak,” or, “Give us this day our new BMW.” Instead, He said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” In Philippians 4:19, Paul said, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Notice that Paul didn’t say, “My God shall satisfy all your greed.” God promises to take care of our needs, not to give us everything we want.

It’s true that God blesses some Christians with material wealth–not to spend on themselves but to spend on His kingdom’s work. Praying a phrase like “Give us this day our daily bread” reminds us that the goal in life is not to build up our own bank accounts but to build up God’s kingdom.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Food for Thought” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2010.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.