[There is an accompanying booklet for our series with the 5 studies, weekly prayer challenges, places for notes and more. If you have not yet, you can download it here]

This week we are already at the halfway point of the Lord’s prayer! As we begin this week, share with each other:

• How did you go with last week’s prayer challenge? Did praying for God’s Kingdom to come change your perspective on who, where or what you were praying for? Have you seen God answer in some way already?

• Was there anything that particularly stood out from the message on Sunday that you felt God was speaking to you through?

Give us today our daily bread

The beginning of the Lord’s Prayer makes it clear the focus must first be on the Father - His name, His reign, and His will. Jesus teaches us to then bring before our Heavenly Father our needs for each day.

• Do you find it easy or difficult to bring all your requests before God?

• When you pray about your needs, do you normally jump straight to the asking, or do you first spend time praying and reflecting on God’s glory, His Kingdom and His will? Does it make any difference when you do? 

In Jesus’ day bread was synonymous with the physical necessities of life. ‘Give us today our daily bread’ carries the broader meaning of asking for God to provide everything that we need for each day. Read Matthew 6:25-34.

• In what ways does God provide for us? 

• Share any testimonies you have of seeing God provide for your daily needs (or the needs of someone you know).

God cares for us and is our provider. That doesn’t let us off the hook though! Read together 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 & Deuteronomy 8:17-18.

• How do you understand the interplay between human responsibility and God’s provision when it comes to meeting our daily needs? 

Read together Proverbs 30:7-9, Philippians 4:12-13 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10. 

• How does praying this part of the Lord’s Prayer safeguard our own hearts against greed and coveting the possessions/wealth/lifestyles of others? 

• How can including ‘give us today our daily bread’ in our prayer life help us grow a day-to-day dependence on God? How can it also help us be thankful for what He has already given us?

• In ways does acknowledging and receiving God’s provision then overflow to generosity in our lives? 

As holistic beings, we do have needs beyond health, housing, clothing and food. 

• What do you think are some of those other human needs we may have, that are important for us to be praying about to God?

• How does Philippians 4:4-7 and Matthew 7:7-11 help remind us that we can pray about absolutely anything and everything else as well? 

To end this week’s study:

• Share and pray for an area of your life where you are seeking God’s provision.