His mother was right, of course. Those who think that people provide for themselves by their strivings and craftiness, sinfully leave God out of the story. For this reason Jesus teaches us to pray to our heavenly Father, "Give us this day our daily bread." He wants us to acknowledge the Father as the source of all that we have and to give Him thanks. Luther comments in the Large Catechism:

Although he gives and provides these blessings bountifully, even for wicked men and rogues; yet he wishes us to pray for them so we may realize that we have received them from his hand and may recognize in them his fatherly goodness toward us. (IV:83)

This petition deals with far more than the food on the dining table.  Two simple words, "daily bread", encompass everything that we need to enjoy life.  We are also praying against everything that would stop us from receiving and enjoying our daily bread.

The 2004 elections may have been decided by the time you read this article. By praying for "daily bread" we are asking God to maintain a government that allows us the benefits of a peaceful life. Luther says:

Indeed, the greatest need of all is to pray for our civil authorities and the government, for chiefly through them does God provide us our daily bread and all the comforts of this life. Although we have received from God all good things in abundance, we cannot retain any of them in security and happiness unless he gives us a stable peaceful government. For where dissension, strife, and war prevail, there our daily bread is taken away or at least reduced. (IV:74)

In praying this petition, we are requesting leaders who fulfill their obligations with integrity and honor. And conversely, we are opposing all who would break and hinder God's will that we have the necessities of life.  There will always be people who would rather keep our daily bread to themselves.

How much trouble there now is in the world simply on account of false coinage, yes, on account of daily exploitation and usury in public business, trading, and labor on the part of those who wantonly oppress the poor and deprive them of their daily bread! This we must put up with, of course; but let the exploiters and oppressors beware lest they lose the common intercession of the church, and let them take care lest this petition of the Lord's Prayer be turned against them. (IV:84)

We may grumble against a greedy world and point the finger at those depriving us, but it is essential that we recognize that our chief adversary is the devil. The Lord wants us to have daily bread, so you can be assured that the devil desires the opposite. The Large Catechism explains:

In short, it pains him that anyone receives a morsel of bread from God and eats it in peace. If it were in his power and our prayer to God did not restrain him, surely we would not have a straw in the field, a penny in the house, or even our life for one hour-especially those of us who have the Word of God and would like to be Christian. (IV:81)

From this protect us, dear Father in heaven.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, let's remember not only what we have, but who gave it to us. Our Father in heaven has given us peace and security. We truly have more than we need. For this reason Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Timothy Hartwig is pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.