Petition: Our Daily Bread

Learning To Pray Like Jesus

Petition: Our Daily Bread

Matthew 6:9-13

We are to be Childlike in our praying, but not Childish

Prayer Principles

• Give – The Principle Of Asking

“You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

• Us/Our – The Principle Of Community

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

• Today/Daily – The Principle Of Daily Dependence

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

• Bread – The Principle Of Inclusiveness

“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” (Exodus 16:4)

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

3 Implications Of This Petition

1. I Seek God As The Answer To My Needs

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”   (Romans 8:32)

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Prayer is to be our first Response, not our last Resort

2. I Declare My Dependence

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

God wants us to ask daily, not so that he can hear us beg, but because we have short Memories

3. I Rely On God’s Resources

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:32–33)

Petitionary prayer works best when we understand that we are praying to God Our Father, not a Genie

Because I Am Praying To God My Father, I Can…

• Trust in His power and love

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

“Thou are coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring, His grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much.”  John Newton

• Gain perspective by focusing on His purposes

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7–9)

Our deepest challenges are a matter of Perspective not Circumstances

• Find peace by looking toward His wisdom

Good parents don’t respond to unwise Requests

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”  (Hebrews 5:7)

God will always give you what you would have asked for if you Knew What He Knows

As we pray we can be assured that God is not only Aware of our needs, but He is Able to meet our needs and He Desires to meet them in the best possible way

Making It Personal:

• How will I make spending time in prayer a priority for my life in this New Year?

• What new perspective did I gain about what it means to ask for things from God from today’s teaching?

• How can I apply today’s teaching to my personal prayer life?

• Continue to focus on prayer by working through the book, “Prayer With No Intermission”.

• Who can I share these truths with?