Give Us Today Our Daily Bread

The bread was in my hand ready to pop into the toaster on a wet grey morning when I paused and silently gave thanks to God for His provision.

I went to move on when one of those spiritual nudges happened and the almost-whisper of God could be heard, ‘Our daily bread: not yours but ours’.

And the bread was laid back on the table:

Bread for the day and bread for the journey.

Bread for our yearning that others might eat.

Bread for the needy and bread for the friend.

Bread for the anxious, longing it would end.

Bread for the dying so grace-filled and sweet.

Bread for the starving, those merely surviving.

Bread for the migrant, a new world in sight?

Bread for the war zone and places of plight.

Bread on our streets where knives now bring fright.

Bread in the boardroom with power and might.

Bread in the prison often hidden from sight.

Bread in our families, though not all will eat.

Bread in our lives now so ready to share.

It’s Jesus Himself providing daily care. Bread in our hands now ready to give, This Jesus appearing, longing for others to live.

Fill us again, Bread of heaven within, that others might taste your Kingdom come in. We give thanks for the daily, the true living bread, come share it right now that others are fed.

Pray for Five:

Pray for your five people to discover that God wants to provide for them every day, whatever their circumstances.

By The Reverend Canon Jean Kerr, Thy Kingdom Come Team, Church of England