Trusting God for Our Daily Needs
Summary
In this fourth week of our series on prayer, we delve into the profound simplicity and depth of the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the line, "Give us today our daily bread." This prayer is not just a request for physical sustenance but a call to trust in God's provision for our daily needs, both big and small. The disciples, though familiar with prayer, sought Jesus' guidance to pray with the same intimacy and power they observed in Him. This series has been about aligning our hearts with God's will, invoking His kingdom, and surrendering to His purposes.
The concept of "daily bread" is a reminder of God's provision, akin to the manna provided to the Israelites. It challenges us to focus on today's needs rather than being consumed by future worries. We are encouraged to ask God audaciously and repeatedly, expecting Him to answer in both natural and supernatural ways. This act of asking is not about informing God of our needs—He already knows them—but about fostering a relational interaction with Him. It is an exercise in vulnerability, admitting our dependence on Him, and aligning our desires with His will.
The story of George Mueller exemplifies this faith in action. Mueller, a man of prayer, never solicited funds for his orphanages but relied solely on prayer, trusting God to provide. His life is a testament to the power of asking and receiving from God. Similarly, we are invited to bring our needs before God, trusting in His provision and timing.
Asking God is relational, vulnerable, and invites alignment with His divine order. It is a demonstration of our dependence on Him, which is a mark of spiritual maturity. Through prayer, we open our hearts and hands, ready to receive His guidance and provision. This posture of surrender allows us to experience the miraculous in our everyday lives.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the miraculous provision of God through Jesus' sacrifice. It is a moment to reflect on the supernatural grace and love that sustains us. In this sacred act, we are encouraged to ask God for our needs, trusting in His faithful provision.
Key Takeaways:
1. Intimacy in Prayer: The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father," emphasizing a personal and intimate relationship with God. How we perceive God influences how we receive from Him. This intimacy invites us to draw near to God, knowing He desires closeness with us. [04:31]
2. Daily Dependence: "Give us today our daily bread" teaches us to focus on today's needs, trusting God for provision. This daily dependence on God is a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with His will and reminds us of His faithfulness. [10:03]
3. The Power of Asking: Asking God for our needs is an act of faith and vulnerability. It acknowledges our dependence on Him and invites His divine intervention in our lives. This relational interaction with God strengthens our trust and faith. [21:43]
4. Alignment with God's Will: Prayer is not just about presenting our requests but aligning our desires with God's will. This alignment invites divine order into our lives, allowing us to experience His peace and guidance. [26:46]
5. Miraculous Provision: The story of George Mueller and the act of communion remind us of God's miraculous provision. When we ask in faith, God responds in ways that exceed our expectations, demonstrating His power and love. [35:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:31] - The Intimacy of "Our Father"
- [06:28] - Invoking God's Kingdom
- [07:21] - Asking Audaciously
- [08:58] - Preparing for Baptisms
- [10:03] - Daily Bread: Today's Needs
- [11:10] - The Invitation to Ask
- [12:32] - George Mueller's Faith
- [14:24] - The Miracle of Provision
- [15:27] - Why Ask if God Knows?
- [16:26] - Jesus' Question to Bartimaeus
- [17:21] - Reasons to Ask God
- [20:06] - Trusting God with Our Needs
- [21:43] - Vulnerability in Asking
- [23:22] - Dependence as Maturity
- [26:46] - Alignment Through Asking
- [28:30] - Listening in Prayer
- [29:16] - The Servant King
- [31:23] - A Journey of Faith
- [34:16] - Communion: A Reminder of the Miraculous
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
2. Matthew 7:7-8 (Ask, Seek, Knock)
3. Psalm 2:8 (Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the phrase "Give us today our daily bread" signify in the context of the Lord's Prayer? [06:28]
2. How does the story of George Mueller illustrate the concept of asking God for daily needs? [12:32]
3. What are the three reasons mentioned in the sermon for why God wants us to ask Him for our needs? [17:21]
4. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of God's miraculous provision? [34:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "daily bread" challenge believers to focus on present needs rather than future worries? [10:03]
2. In what ways does asking God for our needs demonstrate vulnerability and dependence on Him? [21:43]
3. How does aligning our desires with God's will through prayer invite divine order into our lives? [26:46]
4. What does the story of Bartimaeus teach us about the importance of expressing our needs to God? [16:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current needs. How can you practice asking God audaciously and repeatedly for these needs, trusting in His provision? [07:21]
2. Consider a time when you were focused on future worries. How can you shift your focus to trust God for today's needs? [10:03]
3. In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to be vulnerable and admit your dependence on God? How can you work on this? [21:43]
4. How can you align your daily prayers with God's will, ensuring that your desires are in harmony with His purposes? [26:46]
5. Think of a specific need you have today. How can you bring this need before God, trusting in His timing and provision? [11:10]
6. How can the act of communion deepen your understanding of God's miraculous provision in your life? [34:16]
7. Identify a situation where you need to trust God more. What steps can you take to surrender this situation to Him and invite His guidance? [27:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Intimacy with God through Prayer
Prayer is a profound way to connect with God, emphasizing a personal and intimate relationship. The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father," which highlights the closeness and familial bond we are invited to have with God. This intimacy is not just about addressing God but about perceiving Him as a loving Father who desires a deep relationship with us. When we approach God with this understanding, it transforms how we pray and how we receive from Him. It invites us to draw near, knowing that God is not distant but desires closeness and communion with us. This intimacy in prayer is foundational to experiencing the fullness of God's presence and guidance in our lives. [04:31]
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God in your daily prayer life, seeing Him as a loving Father who desires closeness with you?
Day 2: Trusting God for Daily Provision
The phrase "Give us today our daily bread" is a call to trust in God's provision for our daily needs. It teaches us to focus on the present, relying on God to meet our needs each day rather than being consumed by future worries. This daily dependence on God is a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with His will and reminds us of His faithfulness. By trusting God for our daily provision, we acknowledge our reliance on Him and open ourselves to His guidance and care. This trust is not passive but an active engagement with God, seeking His provision and trusting in His timing and ways. [10:03]
"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, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific need you have today that you can trust God to provide for, and how can you actively rely on Him for this provision?
Day 3: The Vulnerability of Asking
Asking God for our needs is an act of faith and vulnerability. It acknowledges our dependence on Him and invites His divine intervention in our lives. This relational interaction with God strengthens our trust and faith, as we open our hearts to Him and express our needs and desires. Asking is not about informing God of our needs—He already knows them—but about fostering a relational interaction with Him. It is an exercise in vulnerability, admitting our dependence on Him, and aligning our desires with His will. This act of asking is a demonstration of our faith and trust in God's goodness and provision. [21:43]
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more vulnerable with God, asking Him for help and trusting in His provision?
Day 4: Aligning with God's Will through Prayer
Prayer is not just about presenting our requests but aligning our desires with God's will. This alignment invites divine order into our lives, allowing us to experience His peace and guidance. When we pray, we are invited to surrender our own desires and seek God's will, trusting that His plans are greater than our own. This alignment with God's will is a mark of spiritual maturity, as we learn to trust in His wisdom and guidance. By aligning our hearts with God's will, we open ourselves to His peace and direction, experiencing the fullness of His presence in our lives. [26:46]
"Not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42b, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to align your desires with God's will, and how can you actively seek His guidance and direction in this area?
Day 5: Experiencing God's Miraculous Provision
The story of George Mueller and the act of communion remind us of God's miraculous provision. When we ask in faith, God responds in ways that exceed our expectations, demonstrating His power and love. This miraculous provision is not just about physical needs but about experiencing God's grace and love in every aspect of our lives. By trusting in God's provision, we open ourselves to His miraculous work, experiencing His power and love in ways that transform our lives. This trust in God's provision is a testament to His faithfulness and a reminder of His constant presence and care. [35:57]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: How have you experienced God's miraculous provision in your life, and how can you continue to trust in His faithfulness and love in the future?
Quotes
Our Father in heaven, personal, connection, intimate, draw near to God. He'll draw near to you. Hallowed be your name. We're declaring his greatness, who he is. You operate that reticular activating system with a filter of the greatness of God. All that he's done. All that he's going to do. Declaring. Now, your kingdom come. We invoke the kingdom of heaven on earth. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. That is what his kingdom is like. Righteousness, peace, and joy. We invoke that kingdom and we push back the darkness. And then we say, your will be done. Your will be done. [00:05:50] (38 seconds)
Pete Gregg is the founder of the 24 -7 prayer movement going for way over 20 years. He has this quote in one of his books. He says, as God's children, we are to ask audaciously and repeatedly for everything we need. Expecting him to answer naturally or supernaturally. It's a simple quote. And you go, yeah, yeah, yeah. But let me just let it land. As God's children, our Father in heaven, we are to ask audaciously, nothing too big, nothing too small, and repeatedly. Don't forget there's opposition. [00:07:21] (42 seconds)
God wants us, Matthew 7, God wants us to ask for basic, like my daily bread, my today. What are my needs today? Let me ask you that question. Today, what do you need? Today. Maybe. Maybe it's something physical, relational, emotional. Today. What today do you need? Have you asked the Lord? Today. Sometimes we're so focused on next week that we miss his provision today. [00:09:41] (36 seconds)
Jesus says, and give us today our daily bread. Yes, it is a reflection from the manner of the provision of God. If you, I won't do it. But if you just did a study of the word bread in the whole Bible, you're going to be busy. There's so much, and it's so loaded, and it's so amazing. But give us today. It is about my basic, core need. What is it? Are you bringing that before the Lord today? [00:10:17] (28 seconds)
Who's heard of the guy George Mueller? It's 19th century. None of you have met him. So if you've heard of George Mueller, raise your hand if you have. Okay, these are intelligent people. The rest of you, not so. But George Mueller, George Mueller, so George Mueller lived the majority of his time in southwest England. 19th century guy, incredible man of God. And he had a huge call, huge compassion, but he was known as a man of prayer. Let me just give you some of the things that he did practically or came from prayer he would see need. In George Mueller's life, he actually started 117 schools, especially for those in poverty. [00:11:52] (40 seconds)
It is estimated that in today's money, George Mueller prayed in approaching $100 million. In today's money, $100 million prayed in this man of prayer. I've got one particular story that I want. I want to lift about that. It's got nothing to do with millions of dollars, but this was the heart of George Mueller before these orphans at time. On one occasion, George stood before 300 hungry orphans gathered for breakfast, knowing that there was no food in the kitchen. He prayed, thanked God in faith for the food that they were now about to receive. [00:13:08] (47 seconds)
Why do we need to ask God if he already knows? Does that ever cross your mind? This give us today our daily bread. God knows that I need it, why should I ask? Like if he was God, he'd just provide it, I shouldn't need to ask. Like we're wasting time asking. He should just be providing. If he knows, why ask? And I think that's a key thing. And when we understand that, I think we'll ask better. [00:15:12] (30 seconds)
I think we'll ask wiser. But for many of us, we don't ask. We only ask when we think there is a, something that we know requires supernatural, but we're missing the everyday miracle when we don't pray that way. Here's an example of why do we need to ask, Mark 10 51. There's this guy Bartimaeus. He's a blind guy, everybody knows him. And he's crying out, Jesus is coming and he's crying out in the crowds, son of David, have mercy on me. Or maybe he's asking, have mercy on me, have mercy on me. And they all know, and they all know. And Jesus stops. [00:15:41] (36 seconds)
He wants to because it's relational, it's personal. What does that look like? What is the real need right now? What is the real need right now? So I remember I got engaged and we had a two -year engagement. Nobody ever do that. If you're a follower of Jesus and want to honor him, never do two -year engagements. I recommend two weeks, two days is even better. But anyway, but in that we were super young, in that leading up into that time and different things and all different journeys. Okay, Lord. And you get yourself ready for a new beginning and a new future. And we're both living with our parents. And I remember, and I can't exactly define the moment, but I do recall God pretty much saying, do you trust me with your needs? [00:18:54] (54 seconds)
And dependence on God is a demonstration of maturity. It's the opposite of the human. Little Bubba came today and the goal is that one day he will not be needed to be held. The goal is one day he will not needed to have toilet function done for him, cleaning wise. The goal is he would not be spoon fed. The goal is he is independent of his physical needs. But spiritual, as we walk with Jesus, maturity is a demonstration of more dependence on him, not independence from him. [00:22:45] (37 seconds)
And so today when we take communion, I want to create space for you to ask the Lord. We have this demonstration of his grace and his love and the supernatural in it. What is that supernatural? The human in Jesus was brutally murdered by Roman crucifixion. And then after that, laid in a tomb. It's done. It's like all over. His physical body, his body has stopped. No neurons firing. No blood pumping. It's stopped. It's done. And it's not only stopped, it's beaten and destroyed and pierced. [00:34:41] (51 seconds)
And Jesus on the night before when he's betrayed, he knows he's going to be betrayed, he took bread, broke it and shared it among you. Guys, remember me. Remember me. Remember me. What are they remembering? This whole thing of bread, it just goes. Dashboard lights are flashing everywhere. He said, I'm the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry. Like what? Anything related. There's a whole demonstration going on, but then he takes the cup. [00:34:50] (32 seconds)
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