Husbands and Wives

DAILY READING

Ephesians 5:22-33

REFLECTION

Give Us Today Our Daily Bread

by Mary McGinnis

This week in our Daily Worship we have been reflecting upon the 4^th petition in the Lord’s prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

When Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray this petition, He was inviting them to bring their daily needs to their Good Heavenly Father, who wants nothing more than to give good gifts to them. 

We often think of our needs in terms of physical bodily needs, like food, shelter, health, and safety.  But we also have emotional and relational needs.    

Whether you are married for 50 plus years, only a few years or not married at all, we all have a deep longing to be loved and feel respected. We were not meant to live in isolation like an island. We were made for relationships!

I believe there is no greater place that God desires us to be more like Jesus than in our relationships.  It right there in our day-to-day encounters with those we love where the rubber meets the road.  But often, our relationships leave us feeling depleted, empty, hungry for the love and respect we are lacking.  

If we COMPLETELY trust God to fill our needs, fill up our empty places, we are more open to giving and loving others freely, without reservation.  

As I was reflecting upon today’s reading and considered “Give us this day our daily bread,” these were some of the questions that came to mind. 

How am I reflecting a Christ like attitude in my relationships? 

What am I longing for in my relationships?  Have I taken those needs to my Heavenly Father? 

Am I holding back love or respect for my loved one because they have not fulfilled my needs?

Do I trust my Good, Good Father to fill these needs even if those I love are not?

Where am I expecting my spouse or loved one to change rather than looking to where God is calling me to change? 

 

Lord, I know you have called me to relationships. This is one of my biggest callings in life, the people I spend the most time with every day.  Show me Lord how to be the person You desire me to be in those relationships. Help me to surrender my need to “fix” the other person, but trust in You to change ME and to supply all my needs. You are my Good, Good Father.

Prayer Practice

Cup Prayer – This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture and listen as God shares His heart back with you.