This session focuses on two key petitions in the Lord’s Prayer—asking for daily bread and seeking forgiveness.

The Petition for Daily Bread

God is not only concerned with transcendent matters but also with our daily needs. Charles Spurgeon once said that we have an infinite need for prayer because we are infinitely needy. Some believers hesitate to ask God for their needs, fearing that it is impious. However, we should not suppress our human needs, as we are created with them.

The phrase “Give us today our daily bread” may initially seem redundant, but it highlights a beautiful truth. Bread is a basic necessity, unlike other resources that fluctuate. The word “daily” emphasizes consistency, teaching us that prayer should be ongoing and unceasing. By asking for daily bread, we acknowledge that God is our provider and demonstrate dependence on His providence.

God’s provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness is a testament to His faithfulness. However, many of us fail to depend on God fully, feeling poor despite having provisions. Praying for daily bread reminds us that He is the source of all we have. Ultimately, Christ Himself is the true bread from heaven, nourishing our souls and sustaining our spiritual lives.

Jesus taught daily dependence on God’s providence, instructing us not to worry about tomorrow. Bringing our needs to God daily deepens our relationship with Him. Since our minds are time-conscious, we often struggle to enjoy today if we are uncertain about tomorrow’s provision. Instead, we must shift our focus from the provision itself to God, our Heavenly Father.

David testified that he had never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. If we have real and pressing needs, we should present them to God in specific prayers. Although He knows our needs before we ask, praying specifically strengthens our faith. Specific prayers lead to specific answers, increasing both our faith and gratitude. A personal testimony was shared about praying for abundance, and how God answered specifically through a raise, ensuring fair remuneration for church workers.

The Petition for Forgiveness

Following the request for daily bread, Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.” Forgiveness is essential for the soul, bringing reconciliation with God, others, and ourselves. An unforgiving heart often indicates impenitence and a lack of true joy, whereas a repentant heart cries out for forgiveness. True liberation requires true forgiveness—God desires us to pray for the health of our souls.

Forgiveness is the hallmark of the Christian faith and the central message of the New Testament. Neglecting prayer for forgiveness harms our spiritual well-being. 1 John 1:9 emphasizes the need for ongoing confession and forgiveness. Some teach that confession is only needed once at conversion, but this hyper-grace teaching is unbiblical. Scripture shows that even faithful believers like David and James recognized the necessity of continual confession.

Confession maintains an active and honest relationship with God, acknowledging our sins and seeking His forgiveness. Sin has no place in hallowing God’s name, His kingdom, or His will—confession restores intimacy with Him. Seeking forgiveness acknowledges God’s holiness and righteousness, leading us to know Him more deeply. It is an act of drawing near to Him, valuing the relationship, and mending what is broken.

Forgiving Others as We Have Been Forgiven

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” However, forgiving others is not easy—conflicts and grudges often arise. We must not rationalize unforgiveness. True forgiveness releases others from their debt, restores relationships, and chooses grace over resentment.

We are called to forgive because we have been forgiven so much. Our willingness to forgive stems from recognizing God’s immense grace toward us. However, forgiveness does not mean condoning sin or excusing wrongdoing. It does not require unilateral forgiveness without repentance. Discipline and correction may still be necessary. Christians are not called to passively endure all wrongdoing; there is a biblical process for addressing sin and seeking restitution.

Forgiveness does not mean ignoring justice, but it also does not mean withholding grace. The phrase in the Lord’s Prayer does not suggest that God forgives us proportionally to our forgiveness of others. Rather, it teaches us to recognize His grace and reminds us of our Christian duty in interpersonal relationships. Praying in this way fosters a fresh understanding and experience of His mercy daily.

This is not about listing every single unsaintly thought but approaching God with humility, knowing who He is and who we are. A contrite spirit finds favor with God and refreshes our experience of His mercy. This session is not meant to guilt-trip anyone, but to confront the reality of Matthew 6:14-15, where Jesus states that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.

Understanding Redemptive vs. Daily Forgiveness

This verse can apply to false believers who have never truly experienced God’s forgiveness. However, even genuine believers may struggle with unforgiveness, leading to a loss of peace, though not a loss of salvation. Hatred and resentment overwhelm the heart, making forgiveness impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help. Unforgiveness never benefits us—it robs us of Christian joy and consumes our hearts with bitterness.

Guilt is not a motivational tool; only humility and contriteness can bring true transformation. We must seek the Holy Spirit’s help in overcoming unforgiveness. God has redeemed us to peace and reconciliation, not to bitterness and resentment.

Forgiving others is not just about obedience or personal liberation; it directly impacts evangelism and bearing witness to Christ. By forgiving others, we demonstrate the gospel message of God’s grace. One of the greatest testimonies we can have is showing compassion and forgiveness to those who have obvious shortcomings.

The Church as a Place of Forgiveness

The church should be the first place where we practice forgiveness. As Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, we are to be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another just as God forgave us in Christ. The session concludes with a prayer, asking God to remove the spirit of lack and anxiety, to trust Him as our daily provider, and to heal hearts from unforgiveness.