Reading and pondering the King James version of the Holy Bible, I have always appreciated the impressions left in my mind (raising and answering personal questions) and heart.
I recite the Lord’s prayer often while walking, paddleboarding, and meditating on my faith in God. I do so slowly with bowed head and bended knees, figuratively and literally.
Why?
A) I believe nothing is independent in the spiritual and temporal (worldly, physical) realms, that an interconnectedness weaves life’s spiritual and physical components, essential to one’s well-being. I believe my physical body is a vessel of my spirit, an eternal identity, my soul. I feel a nearness to God, a relationship of trust and devotion.
B) The addressing words, ‘Our Father,’ indicate an intimate relationship recognizing a sanctified state of existence in ‘hallowed.’ These wash over me with a gentleness speaking to my spirit (soul) that I am on sacred ground.
The first sura of the Qur’an elicits the same acknowledgment of approaching, then entering a sacred space to communicate with God, acknowledging His character.
C) It amazes me that words uttered by millions affect such a solemn, individualized experience.
A sense of smallness, yet significance, in His presence fills me with peaceful gratitude.
I am loved, known, and valuable in His creations, blessed with abilities to overcome struggles, weaknesses in my character, and challenges to faith in daily living while learning about my identity to God and self.
With an attitude of reverential worship, I pause to reflect before proceeding to utter my heart.
Words are more than mere words.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Holy Bible, King James. Matthew 6
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
As time passes, each verse marks me. Leading to an honest self-examination of my faith, hope, pleadings and desires, I choose deliberate prayerful pondering. I make it personal in the following manner:
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: My Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Holy Bible, King James. Matthew 6
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give me this day my daily bread.
12 And forgive me my debts, as I forgive my debtors.
13 And lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Today I would like to focus on verse 11.
Give me this day my daily bread.
[Give (insert name) this day (night) their daily (nightly) bread.]
Considered peremptory, my parents taught me not to use the phrase ‘give me.’ A common taunting response, even in the schoolyard, if used, was “Gimme, gimme, never gets.” Yet, in the context of this prayer, I feel a kinship to a different attitude, one of seeking sustenance, more like ‘please grant me’ and appropriately asking for His providence.
What is this bread we are instructed to ask for?
In a spiritual sense, John 6 immediately comes to mind. It contains a miraculous account of a temporal experience with spiritual implications. What I will refer to as a sermon ensues, ending with a promise.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Holy Bible, King James. John 6
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
The Petition and The Promise
Give me this day my daily bread.
Granted the breath of life this morning,
I reflect upon this great blessing,
my heart tuned to the greatness of God,
He knows, awaiting my petition,
reverently voiced in faith’s tradition.
My list, though long, is for those I love,
gifts of strength and comfort from above,
(I’ll gratefully eat left-over’s crumbs),
hearts with golden threads highlight their days,
weaving desires, faith, and hope, always.
My supplication and my hunger,
so oft receives nourishment’s wonder,
my heart tuned to the greatness of God,
kneading my bread with His knowing touch,
together we rise, strengthened by such.
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Please, Father, I ask thee to grant me daily bread.
My imperfect bread recipe contains my limited understanding of life-sustaining nutrients found in the needs, desires, wishes, hopes, dreams, and faith of those I love, and myself.
Thou knowest the best recipe for each individual, the ingredients that satisfy, delight, excite the senses, and fill hidden needs.
[Please Father, I ask thee to grant __ (individual whom I pray for) their daily bread.]
health in the navel and marrow in the bones,
breath that deeply inhales and slowly exhales the magnificence of living,
knowledge to overcome stumbling blocks,
wisdom to see choices then choose the more difficult right than the easier wrong,
a vision of their intrinsic, eternal nature,
kindness in relationships,
awareness of another’s distress, joys, and sorrows that they may be filled with compassion to ease another’s burdens,
sight in the shadows and dark,
light to brighten and guide,
hearing to recognize thy voice and listen to thy counsel,
safety from adversaries, temptations,
Thy loving watch and lifting of wings so they can feel the winds and fly.
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He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
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What a conditional promise! “Come, allow me to feed your hunger and quench thirst with substances of life-changing qualities.” (Another topic for another day.)
Life happens . . . so does the Lord’s Prayer
What ingredients are essential or desired in your daily bread recipe?
The bread I request and partake of is sometimes no more than crumb-sized pieces until my body and belly are ready to consume more. Symbolically, I taste the best-prepared bread and feel great joy when I share with those I love. I feel blessed when my loved ones (family and friends) provide me with an ingredient or two for their bread choice. I pass those on because they then become ingredients in the baking of my daily bread.
Words are more than mere words.
© Vicki Nicholls 2021
