We are so familiar with The Lord’s Prayer, that we can say it by rote, without thinking about the words we are praying. A poem from “Thoughts of God” by the Connecticut Council of Churches can help us find greater meaning in Jesus’ prayer.
OUR DAILY BREAD
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
I thought of the words as the prayer was said.
Who are “we” who ask for bread?
‘Tis all the world that must be fed.
Not just today but through the year
There are hungry folks both far and near.
Whence comes to us our daily bread?
Is it placed in our hands as we bow our head?
We are given the earth and seeds of grain,
The sun gives heat, the clouds drop rain,
The seeds we have, sun, rain and soil,
And hands we have for heavy toil.
Minds we have to make new plans
For producing more food on our fertile lands.
Are starving people part of God’s plan?
No – God depends on our help
To feed those people who bow and pray
“Our daily bread, give us this day.”
How, indeed, shall the world be fed
‘Till we learn how to share our bread?
I thought of the words as the prayer was said,
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Our ministries with the Red Door Café lunches offered every Sunday at St. John’s and the monthly Red Door Food Pantry distribution provide much needed food to our neighbors. The Women’s Coffee that precedes the distribution offers the opportunity for breakfast, conversation, and prayer, while building relationships with women living in the city, many in low-income housing. Surely, God is showing us the way to “feed those people who bow and pray ‘our daily bread give us this day.’”
Submitted by David Hill