June 14 , 2007 ODB RADIO : Listen Now | DownloadREAD : Matthew 6 : 9 - 13 Give us this day our daily bread . ? Matthew 6 : 11 Not long ago , I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to lead a Bible conference . I took in the beauty of the Nyungwe Forest and Ruzizi River , which separates Congo from Rwanda . I experienced the amazing hospitality of the Congolese people , and I was movedby their sincere faith in God ’ s provision . Because unemployment , poverty , and malnutrition are serious problems there , the people often don ’ t know where their next meal will come from . So each time they sit down to eat , they thank God and ask Him to provide the next meal . Their prayer sounds a lot like Jesus ’ prayer in Matthew 6 : 11 , “ Give us this day our dailybread . ” The word bread refers to any food . The phrase “ this day ” indicates provision that came to them one day at a time . Many first - century workers were paid one day at a time , so a few days ’ illness could spell tragedy . “ Daily ” could be translated “ for the coming day . ” The prayer would read : “ Give ustoday our bread for the coming day . ” It was an urgent prayer to those who lived from handto mouth . This prayer calls Jesus ’ followers everywhere to recognize that our ability to work and earnour food comes from God ’ s hand . ? Marvin Williams Lord , thank You for our daily breadAnd everything that You provide ; Increase our faith and help us seeThat Your supply is deep and wide . ? Sper Our problems are never a strain on God ’ s provision .