Give us today our daily bread.

Some of us work in careers where there is an hourly rate. Others, like me, typically have had either a salary or a commission-type job. Some own companies, some sell products, some broker business, others cook meals.

This passage applies to us all. It is simple in its application, yet challenging to always live by. It does not mean that we should not plan ahead, invest in a degree where appropriate, or spend years developing a new product or technology (think Noah and the Ark). It does mean that we wholeheartedly trust God for the future, and pray for success in our daily lives.

What employment opportunities or work is right in front of me? What am I working on today for the future? And if I am out of work, I pray for provision for my daily needs.

We can also pray for needs that are not physical. Jesus called God’s Word his food. We can pray for our relational, emotional, and mental needs, and pray promises in scripture over them, as food for our soul.

This verse is also an application here: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬). If we are truly doing this, then their needs become our needs.

God cares about our daily activities - our worries, our ministries, our provisions, our spiritual and mental nutrition. He wants to provide for us daily. We just need to be specific and trust him. And we need to pray from a heart that can differentiate needs from wants.

Thank you, Lord, for this short and simple verse. It is power-packed with application. Help me to plan and work hard, trusting you for the future and praying for the needs of the present!