In the Monday morning "Catechism Revisited" class, we talked about this prayer and the significance of each of its petitions. Would that we had enough time here to repeat the whole of those conversations! What remained with me this morning were thoughts about the petition which reads "give us this day our daily bread."
The Small Catechism reminds us that God is the one who provides for us. We are too quick to think of ourselves as independent or self-made. It is from God's hand that all things come to us. Bread (food) is but one example. The Catechism encourages us to also see God as the provider of home and family, of the means of making a living, clothing and good health.
It is a great habit to pause before each meal and offer a prayer of thanksgiving that God has "given us this day our daily bread." It would also be a good habit to stop and offer a similar prayer when we turn on our laptop, or when we turn the key in our car, or when we slip into our shoes. As the Small Catechism reminds us, "daily bread" is a reference to all the things we need for life and living.
There are (unfortunately) too many jokes about praying during this week of final exams. The jokes are meant to suggest that we should not abandon our studying habits and expect God to bestow upon us good grades. But it would be appropriate to offer prayers to God, as you study and as you take those exams. I would encourage you to shy away from asking God to help you get a better grade than you have earned, but you could give thanks for the "daily bread" which is a mind sharp and keen and capable of learning. You could thank God for the "daily bread" which is the opportunity itself to study and learn and search for ways in which you can use what has been given you in service to others.
"Give us this day, our daily bread," and may that bread strengthen us for the future that you have set before us. Amen.
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