After witnessing Jesus praying, one of His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray in the same way that John had taught his disciples.  Jesus then gave them the model to follow.  We call this The Lord’s Prayer.  “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).

There is a period of time in the morning when God speaks with me.  It is the period of time where I am not fully asleep, yet not fully awake.  I am sure that scholars and scientist have a name for this – but I call it what it is…not fully asleep, not fully awake.  Now to be clear, Him and I talk throughout the day, but there is something so unique about this period of time.  I am never the one initiating the conversation. He is usually the one doing all the talking, and although I may ask a question or two, I am usually just listening.

A little over a week ago, Him and I had this conversation about mountains.  Not the literal mountains like you’d find in Tennessee, but the spiritual mountains; those situations that tend to stand between where we are, and where we want to be.  During that previous conversation, He was basically chastising me about my “mountain prayers”.  It is usually something along the lines of this, “Lord God, please remove this mountain!”  In this previous conversation, He was telling me that not every mountain is meant to be moved; some mountains are meant for me to climb.  This is how He strengthens me for this journey and equips me for the fulfilling of my purpose.

…and so this morning, there He and I were once again; talking.  He bought up that mountain conversation.  I asked Him this question, “how am I supposed to know when to ask You to move the mountain, and when should I ask You for the strength to climb it?”  You see, God knows which is which – He knows which mountains are in the way; distractions; obstacles - and which ones are an exercise.  I, on the other hand, simply see a mountain.  And so, He taught me exactly how to pray.  In the Lord’s prayer-in verse 11 Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” 

What exactly does that even mean?

When Jesus was speaking, I have no doubt that He was intentional.  He wasn’t just speaking to them (the disciples), He was speaking to us too.  For them perhaps He meant the provisions that the people of Israel expected from God.  The way He rained down manna from the heavens.  Even for us, this should be our prayer-that God provides-even if that means giving us the skills, wisdom and knowledge to provide for ourselves.  However, I argue that Jesus meant more than just the physical bread.  The bread that God was speaking to me about this morning, was a daily Word from Him.  “God, how do you want me to pray today?”  “God, what is it that I am supposed to pray for, so that my will lines up with Your Will?”  When God spoke to me about giving to me my daily bread, this was with the intention of showing me that I do not know which mountain I am standing in front of, so I am to ask the One who does.  “What Word do You have for us today, Lord God?  What is it that You desire for us to pray for?” 

The Word of God is served fresh every day, just like fresh baked bread.  We should not settle for day old-stale bread, when God has fresh bread for us today.

It is important that we not simply pray but that we pray God’s will.  We must seek God in all areas of our lives, and our prayer life is no different. In fact, I would argue that it is the most important area of our lives to seek Him in. 

Right now, as I sit in quarantine like so many others around the world; this is my prayer and this should be your prayer as well; “Lord, please remove this mountain, however, if it should be Your will, then give us the strength to climb.”

Amen