Today’s Key Scripture (all references NKJV unless otherwise noted:

Give us this day our daily bread.

—Matthew 6:11

The Lord taught us to pray first by coming to our heavenly Father in adoration and humility, then He commanded us to ask for the things that we need for daily living.

“Daily bread” speaks of total dependence upon the Lord for daily nourishment and sustenance—first, as we receive His Word to nourish our spirits, and then for all our physical needs.

The Word of God teaches us that the Lord knows our needs intimately and knows us better than we know ourselves. Yet we receive nothing until we ask. James 4:2 declares, “you do not have because you do not ask..”

It is imperative that you ask for the things you need, and you must ask in faith in order to receive: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

By asking specifically and in faith, you acknowledge your dependence upon the Lord continually.

It is His will to answer your prayers, but first you must ask!

A Prayer for Today:

Father, thank you for not only the higher and deeper things, but for the practical guidelines in living every day in You. Help me to see that so many times I don’t have what I need because I simply don’t ask. I’m grateful for a Father who is concerned that I have my needs met, yet who desires for me to come to You and ask in faith, believing that I will receive. And I’m grateful that whether you answer my requests with “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet,” help me to remember that You always know best. As I continually submit my will to Yours, I know I will be joyful in whatever You give me. I pray this in Your name, Amen!