Held in His Care
Fast
Fast from all food until dinner — or skip a meal if needed — letting every moment of hunger turn your heart toward intercession.

Matthew 6:11
“Give us this day our daily bread.”

As Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, at the center of that prayer is a simple, humble request: “Give us this day our daily bread.” These words invite us into a posture of daily dependence. Before we ask for forgiveness, before we pray for deliverance, Jesus teaches us to begin with provision—not tomorrow’s bread, not a storehouse for the future, but today’s.

And even though the prayer for forgiveness directly follows “Give us this day our daily bread,” I must confess: one of my favorite rooms in our house is the pantry. I spend way too much time in this small space, staring at shelves full of food and still saying, “We don’t have anything to eat!”

Daily bread is simply about provision: His provision. It reminds us that God is a present Father who cares for us. He is not distant, waiting for us to prove ourselves worthy, nor is He impressed by religious performance. Instead, He delights in children who humbly trust Him for what they need right now. This prayer pushes against our instinct to control, accumulate, and secure ourselves against uncertainty. It teaches us that faith is lived one day at a time.

The word bread is both literal and expansive. It includes not only food, but everything necessary for today: shelter, strength, wisdom, peace, and grace to walk in obedience. Like Israel in the wilderness gathering manna each morning, we learn that God supplies enough for the day but rarely more than that. Yesterday’s bread will not sustain today’s obedience.

And it's not just my daily bread. It’s communal: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus teaches us to pray not only for ourselves but for one another. When we trust God as Provider, we become more aware of those around us who lack daily bread, whether physically or spiritually.

This line in the Lord’s Prayer shapes our hearts. While rooting us in God’s faithfulness for today, it also loosens our anxiety about tomorrow. Every day becomes an opportunity to trust again, to receive again, and to walk forward nourished by grace.


Grace for today,

Jason Swiggart
Campus Pastor
Houston’s First Baptist Church - Cypress

Prayer Guide
- Bring before the Lord a specific need where you are seeking His provision today.
- Pray for someone you know who also needs God’s care, asking Him to supply exactly what they lack.
- Spend a moment thanking God for a way He has recently provided for you.

Action Step
Tell Your Story! Share how God is at work in your life. The guided form will walk you through each step, helping you put your story into words with confidence.

Prayer Practice
Pray in a different posture (kneel, lay face down, lay on your back, etc.).