Give us the bread we need for today.
Matthew 6:11 CEB
Such a short verse, but so much to think about! This verse is nestled in the middle of The Lord’s Prayer. I too often have quickly moved past this verse, having food security, having much more than I need.
This takes on new meaning, new emphasis today as people are literally starving to death in Gaza due to man made and man sustained famine.
How does this verse, this prayer, work? Elsewhere, Jesus teaches that if we pray with faith, all things are possible. Are the people starving in Gaza not praying with enough faith? If, you think, they are praying amiss because the pray to another God, what about us who are Christians, and are praying for them?
Are we lacking faith?
Just prior to this verse, we are to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Starvation is certainly not part of God’s kingdom plan. Again, are we praying amiss? Are we lacking faith? What is this prayer about?
I am guilty of complacency, having never worried about if I would have a meal. I have been “wise” according to my culture, and am fortunate to have an ample retirement income. I wrestle with the question of where my faith is placed. Do I have confidence in what I have “earned” more than confidence in God who has provided generously for me? Why me? Why not people living in poverty? At least partly, maybe mostly, I was born in the “right” country at the “right” time with the “right” color of skin and the “right” gender. I did work, but do I take too much credit for myself? What would I do if I lost it all, like Job?
So back to Gaza. Is God failing? Is he not responding to prayer, as he said he would?
His kingdom has not come, yet! Why not?
Is God’s body failing? (The Church! Us!) Is God’s body not prevailing against the Gates of Hell?
The world has the resources, the daily bread, sufficient for everyone to have enough. The “haves” are not sharing with the “have nots”! Some “haves” are even forcefully resisting the distribution to those in need even as many who have excess seek to provide what is needed.
What can be done?
Pray? I am, as, I am sure, are many others. Yet…
Give? To whom? It seems that many have given, and the delivery is blocked?
Go? This is not an option for me currently, but many are going and sharing their valuable stories and eyewitness accounts.
Political activism? Vote? Contact our government authorities? Protest (peacefully)?
With the psalmists and prophets, I cry out, “Why, oh Lord, are the poor suffering injustice?” Why do the wealthy sit back in their ease and fail to lift their fingers to stop the injustice?
Why?
