Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Give us this day our daily bread.—Matthew 6:11 (NRSV)
Eating breakfast one morning, I thought of these words from the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” I suddenly became aware of my gratitude for the many people who were responsible for my cereal and milk, my banana, and my cup of coffee. I was humbled as I imagined the many hands laboring to secure my meal.
I thanked God for the provision of food and for all the people who had been involved. In gratitude, I prayed for the farmers who grew and harvested the grains, fruit, and coffee and for those who raised and milked the cows. And I prayed for all the people—factory workers, truckers, grocers, and many more—whose work made it possible for me to receive these gifts.
We are interdependent, as God created us to be. We are blessed every day by many people we will never know. Being aware of that connection, my food was sweeter that morning and my heart was full of praise.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for our daily bread and for the people responsible for bringing it to our tables. Amen.
Thought for the day: Each day I am blessed by many people I will never know.
Sybil Austin Skakle, North Carolina
