Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato
Lord's Prayer -- Give us this day our daily bread
July 23, 2000

Lesson 6: Give us this day our daily bread

Text: 2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-22

Jesus teaches us to pray…

The 4^th Petition: "Give us this day our daily bread."

Dr. Martin Luther explains…

What does this mean? God gives daily bread without our asking, even to unbelievers, but we pray in this petition that He would teach us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread? "Daily bread" means everything we need for our bodily well-being. It includes food, drink, clothes, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money and goods, a godly husband or wife, devout children, good workers, honest and faithful leaders, good government, good weather, peace, health, law and order, an honorable name, faithful friends, trustworthy neighbors and things like that.

Scripture on "Daily Bread":

• James 1:17; Psalm 145:15-16; Matthew 6:8 –
• Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:7; Psalm 104:14—
• Acts 17:26-31; Matthew 6:33—
• Psalm 107:1; 1 Timothy 6:8—

An Example from Old Testament History—Hezekiah:

• Read 2 Kings 18:1-3. What are we told about Hezekiah and his rule?
• Read 2 Kings 20:1-11. What "4^th Petition" issue confronted Hezekiah? What was the nature of his prayer concerning this issue? What was the LORD’s response to Hezekiah’s "prayer" and "tears"? In what miraculous way did the LORD confirm His intentions? How does this miracle serve to move us to come to the LORD with our "4^th Petition" prayers?

• Read Isaiah 38:9-10. Discuss Hezekiah’s concerns as he confronted death and his description of his prayer to the LORD. Discuss Hezekiah’s response to the LORD’s blessing.