Practical, Everyday Needs

“Give us, today, our daily bread.” – The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11)

One day Fred was out at the grocery store when he ran into his pastor. They talked for a few minutes and Pastor Mike asked how work was. Fred said it was going well, but he was a little nervous about an upcoming presentation he had to do at work. Pastor Mike asked him if he’d prayed about it. Fred responded, “I don’t like to bother God with the small stuff.”

We all tend to go to God when big, terrible, or perhaps uncontrollable things are happening in our lives; but what about the little things? Have you ever felt like you would just be annoying God, that He’s too busy to bother with the little things, or perhaps He doesn’t really care about the small stuff?

God Sweats the Small Stuff

One of the things I love about the Lord’s Prayer is how it covers everything, even the little things. Jesus included in the prayer to ask God for our daily bread. It doesn’t get much smaller than that.

“Lord, I’d like to eat today…a few times if possible. Can You make sure I have food?”

God Wants to Take Care of Us

God cares for you. He loves you. He wants to provide for you and He doesn’t want you to have to worry about having what you need in life. Here’s how Jesus said it,

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:31-34

This isn’t saying you should just sit on your couch and wait for God to send take-out. Rather, God will provide for what you need. Sometimes, He does it in surprising ways and other times He does it by giving us the ability and opportunity to work and earn money for our needs. Regardless of how He does it, we should remember that He is doing it.

Thankfulness In All Things

When we realize that God is sustaining us and providing for all our needs, even the small ones, it nurtures a thankful heart. Saying “grace” before a meal is no longer a mindless ritual, but a time to truly thank God for providing.

No Need To Worry

When we realize that God is sustaining us and providing for all our needs, even the small ones, we can start to see that we can have peace. We don’t have to worry about having enough. God will provide. It frees us to focus on other things, like loving our neighbor.

So, go to God with both the big and small things. You aren’t annoying Him. He wants you to. Then have peace, knowing God is taking care of it. Enjoy it with a thankful heart and a love for your neighbor.

Heavenly Father,

You care for all of us. You sustain us in all things. Every breath comes from You. Thank you for providing for me. Help me to rest in You instead of worrying. Then, in Your peace, help me to seek Your kingdom and love my neighbor.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Practical, Everyday Needs

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL