THE FAMILY ALTAR

May 24.

"Give us this day our daily bread." Matt. 6:11.

If we short-sighted mortals had formulated the Lord's Prayer,

we undoubtedly would have placed this request for our daily

bread at the head and would most probably have forgotten to

mention the other petitions. In our deplorable natural blindness

we are all more vitally concerned about earthly things than about

heavenly things, caring more for our bodies than we do for our

immortal souls. But the way our blessed Lord arranges the peti-

tions teaches us*again that we are always to seek first the kingdom

of God and His righteousness; then all the things we need for

the support of this body and life shall be given us by our heavenly

Father, who knows that we have need of these things. They are

all included by our Lord in the words "Our daily bread." While

our heavenly Father gives these material things also to the wicked,

we, His redeemed and loving children, are to ask Him for them

as dear children ask their dear father. We are to say: Give, and

thereby to confess our utter dependence on His goodness and mercy.

Us we are to say, and thereby to include the wants of our brethren

in our prayer and beware of all selfishness and greed. This day —

avoid all worry about to-morrow, for our Father will care for us

to-morrow just as readily as He does to-day. We are to pray

for our bread, that is, bread which we acquire honestly; there

must not be a dishonest penny in our hands. And the closing

words "daily bread," imply that we ask not for great wealth or

riches, but only for the things we need for the support of our

body. "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content."

(1 Tim. 6, 8.) What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole

world, and lose his own soul, because he forgot to seek first the

kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Dear heavenly Father, Thy blessings are new every morning. As Thou

hast cared for our immortal souls, so wilt Thou care also for our poor

mortal bodies and graciously supply all our wants. We pray Thee, give

us a grateful heart to thank Thee at all times for Thy bountiful goodness

toward us. Give us a contented and care-free heart that cheerfully leaves

the ordering of our daily life to Thy loving hands. And give us a merci-

ful heart that we may willingly share our bread with our hungry brethren

and help and befriend them in their bodily needs, even as Thou dost daily

help and befriend us. Hear us for Jesus' sake. Amen.