4. We pray God to give us our daily bread this day. Our Lord reminds us that we should not be anxiously concerned for the morrow. We have a rich and kind Father in heaven, who cares for us, for our life and welfare. We pray to Him for our bread to-day and every day, and we know that He will not forsake us. Our Lord admonishes us: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Matt. 6,34.
5. In the Fourth Petition we pray for our daily bread, for all that is necessary for our life and bodily welfare here on earth. In the first three petitions we pray for heavenly gifts, for the gifts which we need for our soul, for our eternal welfare. Our Lord in this way teaches us that the heavenly gifts are much more important, that we should pray for them first of all. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6,33.
REMEMBER:—
1. We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, give me this day my daily bread. Grant me grace to know and acknowledge that my daily bread is Thy gracious gift in order that I may receive it from Thy hand with thanksgiving.
2. Do not forget to say your prayers at meals. Thereby you confess that your daily bread is the gift of your Father in heaven, and you show your thankfulness to Him.
3. Pray also for your neighbor and give from your abundance whenever he is in need.
MEMORIZE:—
He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt. 5,45.
Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. Prov. 30,8.
Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. 6,8.