Pray then like this; “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…..” Matthew 6: 9-11
The weight of recent weeks resulted in what I can only describe as a low point this last weekend. Frustration and irritability type low point. Covid-19 concerns, resulting school dismissal and sci-fi grocery runs had me edgy. I had just about regained balance when a tornado made a b-line for our community. We chose to shelter from it in a home we’re renovating that has a basement. Little did we know the path of the tornado would cause destruction a mere three blocks away. I felt as if I’d moved my family directly into danger. My nerves were shot.
When I awoke Sunday, rather than having a heart of worship, I was spent. Depleted. Emotionally wrung out from a feeling of complete and utter lack of control. No control over the weather, my ability to get groceries, the behavior of my children. No control. Which resulted in tears.
In that mini meltdown, I recalled bits and pieces of a verse. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It’s from 2 Corinthians 9 and seems to pop up in moments of utter despair. Always in times when I feel like there’s little option, if any, and I am unsure of the next step. Time and again this verse has been placed on my heart to remind me when I’m at my lowest, when I’m least in control, it is THEN that God’s power is made perfect.
Later that day I was messaging my friend Brooke, a woman with such a heart for Jesus. I shared my feelings of weakness and she shared a bit of truth. Brooke said she has been choosing to simply focus on daily bread.
Daily bread.
The daily bread mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer. Not stockpiles of provision. Not storehouses of reserve. Daily bread. The act of seeking out what God has for us today. Just this day. Not tomorrow, not a week from now. Not after Covid-19 restrictions are removed on April 1st. Or April 30th. Today.
(Remember yesterday’s devotion when I suggested linking arms with a fellow Christian? God reminded me of this importance yet again during my interaction with this sweet friend. I love it when He confirms what He has already told me. Sometimes it takes me a few reminders!)
Brooke pointed me towards my daily supply and He who supplies it. Many of us are worrying over plans. Cancelled plans. Future plans. Meal plans. Matthew 6 reminds us to pray daily for our daily bread. Just enough to get us through today because that may be all we can grasp at this time.
Challenge- Do you pray the Lord’s Prayer? Can you incorporate the structure of this prayer into your conversation wtih God today? We’re able to go to God at any time with any words. They don’t need to be flowery or ritualistic but simply from our heart.
Lord, thank you for your magnificence. Thank you for the assurance your power is made perfect when we are weak. Father, help us to ask you daily for what you have ready and available for us.