Why Is Daily Bread Important?

By Melissa Henderson

Why is daily bread prayer important? Prayer is the open door to conversation with God. Prayer is available at all times, not just when we are in need. Whether we are giving thanks or seeking forgiveness and mercy, God is listening. The Bible gives many examples of people who prayed. Those prayers were important then and our prayers are important now. Hannah prayed for a child. God answered yes. Jairus prayed for the healing of his daughter. God answered in His timing and the answer was yes. One of the most profound prayers was when Jesus went with His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26: 39 NIV). This statement shows that Jesus prayed. We are called to pray to the Father, just as Jesus prayed.

How often do you pray? Is prayer a part of your daily activities?

Does God always answer the way we desire? No. His answer may be no, yes, or not now. God doesn’t need to give an explanation for His answer. We are called to pray and seek His will. Staying in constant communication with the Father through daily bread prayer can allow us to develop a strong relationship and deepen our faith. The New Testament shares a prayer that is spoken today. The book of Matthew tells how we are to pray. This, then, is how you should pray: “Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV).

Our daily bread refers to what we need, not just what we want. Whether the prayer is for spiritual, physical or mental sustenance, we can be assured knowing God is hearing every prayer. When we enter into conversation with God, we can rest in His peace. Have you prayed today? Daily bread prayer is important as sharing time with the Father reminds us of His love and forgiveness. The opportunity to pray is always available. Whether the words are spoken aloud, whispered, or written, God knows the hearts of His people.

Jesus did not wait for a particular time or event to pray. He prayed to the Father every day. We do not need a traumatic event or a glorious time to go to God in prayer. Pray to God in all situations and give Him thanks. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).

Amen.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”—1 Peter 5:8 NASB

As a writer and a British army officer, B.H. Liddell Hart studied and wrote about the history of warfare. These studies revealed the importance of what he called the “indirect approach.” Hart, who was born on this day in 1895, discovered that “effective results in war have rarely been attained unless the approach has had such indirectness as to ensure the opponents’ unreadiness to meet it.” Consistently, Hart found that victories were won by armies that disguised their true intentions, surprised their opponents, and caught them unprepared. In the same way, many Christians are defeated in life because they are not prepared for spiritual warfare. They forget that the devil is shrewd and deceptive. He will not announce his attacks but will seek to confuse us with mixed messages, prey on our weaknesses, and sneak up on us when we are not ready. Instead of attacking us directly, he may lash out at our family members, friends, emotions, health, or finances. Make sure that you are on guard against these attacks. Like a lion, your enemy looks for “someone to devour.” Make sure that you are shielded with a strong faith. Live a life of truth; have “a breastplate of righteousness,” and do the right things. Be armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word, and fill your life with prayer (Ephesians 6:10–17). Be careful, always ready.

Reflection Question: Have you put on your spiritual armor yet today?