A. ALL ANSWERS HINGE ON BREAD
“Lord, when I pray, I’ll follow this pattern: My Father in heaven, may Your name be holy, in my life on earth as Your name is holy in heaven. 10May Your kingdom come in my life on earth as Your kingdom rules in heaven. May Your will be done in my life on earth as Your will is done in heaven. 11Give me daily bread for this day. 12And forgive the consequences of my sin, as I forgive the sins of those who hurt me. 13Do not let me be tempted to do evil and protect me from the evil one, for You have the ability to answer this prayer. Let Your kingdom rule my life, may You get credit when these prayers are answered” (Matthew 6:9-13, The Prayer Bible).
THY PETITIONS PRAYING FOR GOD’S GLORY
“In Heaven” 1. Thy name be hallowed. Worship.
2. Thy kingdom come. Guidance.
3. Thy will be done. Yield.
Semi-Conclusion: “On earth as in heaven.”
THE HINGE PRAYING FOR OUR PROVISIONS
4. Give us our daily bread.
US PETITIONS PRAYING FOR OUR SPIRITUALITY
“On Earth” 5. Forgive us our debts. Pardon.
6. Lead us not into temptation. Victory.
7. Deliver us from the Evil One. Protection.
Conclusion: Kingdom, power and glory.
B. FAST AND PRAY ABOUT BREAD
1. The Bible uses opposite pictures. First, bread is a symbol word to satisfy our daily food needs. Second, bread symbolizes the food we give up in fasting. “Bread to the hungry” (Is. 58:7).
2. World uses “bread several ways.
a. Food from the ground.
b. Money.
c. Nourishment.
d. Wealth.
e. Fellowship, i.e., break bread together.
3. Why is “Bread” a foundational word? We pray for daily bread (strength) to work for our necessities of life. God’s foundational principle, “work to eat” (2 Thess. 3:10).
Five Essential Truths About Daily Needs
1. Everyone has daily needs.
2. We must work to supply our needs.
3. We must ask God to supply our needs.
4. Our needs are supplied one day at a time.
5. We don’t pray for everything, but we commit all things to God in prayer.
4. Most Americans do not need to pray, “Give us daily bread,” they need to pray, “Help me lose weight.”
5. God’s plan for our life.
a. Dependent on God. Why were we created to need daily food?
b. Not be independent. God could have made us like rocks.
c. Responsible for self. Created to eat and grow.
d. Enjoy. Created to enjoy his gifts.
e. Praise for His creation. Created to worship Him.
6. How should we eat? “Whether therefore you eat, or drink . . . do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). To acknowledge and thank God.
7. What do you accomplish by asking God for daily bread? You build your faith. Faith is affirming what God has said in His Word.
8. Why daily? “Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny thee . . . or lest I be poor and steal” (Prov. 30:8-9). Enough for today.
9. Praying smart makes us prepare for tomorrow. “The ants are exceedingly wise, because they are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in summer” (Prov. 30:24-25).
C. WHY FAST FROM FOOD?
1. You first acknowledge that all good comes from God. You give up the physical necessities to seek greater spiritual necessities.
2. You sacrifice enjoyment to seek greater spiritual priorities from God.
3. You demonstrate discipline in your life as you commitment to follow Jesus. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
a. Deny self = abstain from food.
b. Take up cross = agonizing prayer.
c. Daily = continued.
d. Follow Me = Jesus the pattern
4. Fasting and praying is never wrong, but sometimes our prayers are wrong.
a. Asking at the wrong time.
b. Asking for the wrong thing.
c. Asking with the wrong attitude.
d. Asking with the wrong motive.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
