Every Sunday, we pray “give us today our daily bread” right in the middle of the Lord’s Prayer. While “daily bread” may include all sorts of things needed for our wellbeing, it’s clear that the prayer intends for us to trust that God will, indeed, provide what we need.

Throughout the weeks ahead, we are diving into different aspects of what God provides for us. Each Sunday, including this past one, we are reminded of God’s generous attitude toward us. We will be challenged to reflect on what we are doing with God’s generous gifts. Do we call on the name God has given to us? Do we share the manna God has provided? Do we listen to God’s call? Do we trust in God’s salvation?

Here’s a peek at our weekly themes:

God provides a name– so that we may call on God in every time of need, praise God in every time of joy, and thank God for every good gift we receive from God’s hand. At RLC, we gather for prayer and worship together because God has provided God’s name, so that we may be in a relationship with God. 

God provides manna– so that we have enough to meet all our needs. Manna, a strange bread that rained from the heavens, came in a volume sufficient to meet the needs of the whole community. There was not so much that anyone could hoard it, nor so little that any went hungry. God gives us enough to go around. At RLC, we are blessed to share manna with one another and with our community. We feed bodies through meals shared in this very building and through drives to support the DMARC and Ankeny Service Center food pantries.

God provides a call– so that each of us finds purpose and meaning in our lives. God speaks through many means to draw us into our calls to love and serve our neighbors and to love and follow God. At RLC, we show up with our gifts and share them. We have Sunday School teachers, musicians, lawn mowers, and so much more. God has called, and we answer.

God provides clean hearts– so that our consciences are not burdened by guilt or sin, but free to trust in God without fear. At RLC, we hear the words of forgiveness often: in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and whole. Nothing you have done or skipped over doing can separate you from God’s love.

We get to share what God provides to us at RLC because you share with RLC what God has provided to you through your paycheck, your 401k, or your other resources. When you share with RLC, you make it possible for us to share all of God’s good gifts with the neighbors God has provided for us to love.

As “Our Daily Bread” continues, you’ll be asked later this month to make a commitment to the way you will support RLC’s budget. Please begin to reflect and pray, and to discuss with your household (if applicable), so that you feel prepared to make a faithful commitment on October 19.