Give us this day our daily bread

For you, the Eternal’s Word is your happiness. It is your focus—from dusk to dawn. You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. No matter what you do, you prosper. - Psalm 1:2-3
 
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
 
We are taught to utter this prayer in the same manner that Jesus uttered it to His Father: You are my God and your ways are not my ways. Your Word is my happiness, my focus from dawn to dusk! I root myself deeply in your springs that never run dry. You never fail to nourish and care for me, to bring growth and fruit in its time. It is your Kingdom that I dwell in and you are a gracious and good God who is making Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. (How can I possibly ever grasp the magnificence of this thought!) All that you bring to me is bread, I am completely trusting you to meet my needs this day and every day, to bring bread in whatever manner you choose. 
 
The prayer of abandonment of Charles de Foucauld is one of the most beautiful prayers of faith trust and surrender in the Christian spiritual tradition. Memorize it, pray it often and share it with others:

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
 
Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation