Luke 11:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When you pray, He instructs, you should say, "Give us daily bread for every day." Some might contend that it is inappropriate for the saints to request such physical necessities from God, interpreting this plea in a spiritual light, asserting that they are asking not for material bread but for Him who descended from heaven and grants life to the world. I wholeheartedly affirm that it is indeed fitting for the saints to earnestly strive for spiritual gifts. However, we must recognize that even when asking for basic bread, as the Savior directs, their invocation is devoid of guilt and in harmony with their pious lives. For there is significant meaning embedded in these words, rich with doctrine. By commanding them to request bread for the day, it is clear that He desires them to embrace holy poverty instead of wealth. The act of asking belongs to those in need, not to those who possess abundance. If someone in surplus were to address the all-knowing God, saying, "Give us bread for a day," they would risk trivializing the command or even mocking it, presuming that "the Lord does not see, and the God of Jacob does not understand." From this, we discern that the Lord desires His followers to refrain from the pursuit of riches. In other scriptures, He articulates this clearly: "Be not anxious for yourselves what ye shall eat and what ye shall drink, nor for your body what ye shall put on: for all these things the Gentiles seek. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

The term ἐπιούσις, referring to bread here, is interpreted by some as signifying what is provided in the afterlife, understood in a spiritual context, while others see a different interpretation. However, if the bread they mention is meant for the life to come, why do they plead, "Give it to us every day?" This indicates they are seeking daily nourishment, not as a means of acquiring wealth, but to be unencumbered by worldly concerns. We should understand ἐπιούσιος as what is needed and sufficient. Blessed Paul, with slight variation, applied this term to Christ, our Redeemer, stating, "He has prepared for Himself a people περιούσιος," suggesting a people complete and lacking nothing in terms of perfection. Thus, when they ask for daily sustenance, they express this desire as individuals who have renounced the thirst for riches, taking pride in their simplicity. Those ordained to the priesthood should be unencumbered by worldly distractions and anxieties, desiring nothing that would weigh them down with necessary cares and mire them in worldly desires, as "the love of money is the root of all evils."

It is appropriate for those wishing to forsake such vices to shed worldly burdens and renounce material concerns, seeking solely what is essential for existence. They protest, in a sense, against the body's constant demand for sustenance, remaining ready and willing to forego it altogether if such were possible, welcoming the opportunity with great joy. Just as athletes remove their clothing to compete unhindered, so too do the saints, distancing themselves from all worldly clamor and lusts, caring not even for an abundance of food, arm themselves to resist the adversary and proclaim the truth, engaging in divinely appointed service and emerging victorious. Paul also remarked that "No one who fights entangles himself with worldly goods to please him who has chosen him to be a soldier," highlighting that a soldier does not enter battle laden with excesses but, instead, brings only what is essential for combat. Hence, the saints, who are called to contend not only against "flesh and blood" but also against powers and authorities, as well as the rulers of this dark world, must be well-prepared and resolute against those who oppose their message.

They should maintain an unwavering focus on what pleases the Lord, avoiding division in their commitment between worldly matters and holiness, striving to be blameless, so that their lives can be a pleasing offering to God. Scripture declares, "Every sacrifice of a priest shall be a burnt offering." The lives of worldly individuals are often "divided," in Blessed Paul’s words, but the lives of saints are entirely consecrated, wholly devoted, radiating a sweet aroma to God; this is the essence of the total sacrifice. However, if any element of impurity is present in a person, it taints the sacrifice, corrupting its integrity and blending impurity with the sacred, stealing away its pleasing fragrance. The love of money and concern for bodily matters are both detestable, for God has assured the saints that they will lack nothing. If we lack faith in His promise, we share in the disbelief of the Israelites who, despite witnessing His miracles, questioned, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?" Why should He be unable to fulfill His promises? Surely, those of good character keep their word, and how can God, who surpasses all, prove unfaithful in His commitments? Furthermore, while humans, though well-intentioned, may struggle to honor their promises, God, who knows no frailty and is the Lord of might, accomplishes His will effortlessly; hence, He surely fulfills all His pledges to humanity.

With this understanding, let us relinquish our anxieties and request what is sufficient for our lives: food, clothing, and all that we need, while avoiding the enticement of riches that could lead us to ruin. If this is our intention, Christ will embrace us and bless us; through Him, and with Him, all praise and dominion belong to God the Father, along with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.

The constant requirement of this sustenance serves as a reminder to consistently offer this prayer, as there is not a single day when it is not essential to fortify our inner being through the reception and consumption of this bread. Moreover, the phrase 'this day' can also be interpreted in the context of our current existence—asking for this bread while we navigate this age. We understand that in the life to come, it will be granted to those who are worthy, yet we request it for today; for those who lack the honor of receiving it in this life will not be able to partake of it in the life to come.

By the time of Luke's account, Jesus had already shared His complete teachings with the Apostles, needing only to assure them of the Father's will regarding His suffering, death, and resurrection on the third day. Therefore, the principles of constant prayer and prayer itself had been imparted much earlier.

The Lord's Prayer as recorded by Luke differs slightly from Matthew's version concerning the request for daily sustenance. While Matthew states in Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread," Luke offers a similar request in Luke 11:3. However, these variations do not present a contradiction. Firstly, Luke documented a different prayer that Jesus taught at a later time to His disciples, meaning the Lord could have adapted the wording. Secondly, the essence of the request for daily bread is captured in the term "daily," rather than the specific phrasing of "this" or "every." Jesus instructed us to ask the Father solely for what is essential for our existence—our urgent needs—nothing beyond that. Thus, whether we request our daily bread for today or for every day does not change the fundamental message. Furthermore, when we pray for our daily bread each day, we may unconsciously internalize the notion that we are petitioning for it for every day of our prayers or specifically for this day, which effectively conveys the same intent. Consequently, the disciples may have naturally altered the wording of this prayer, and it is likely that Luke recorded the version they spoke.

Consequently, some interpreters suggest it may be a compound of ‘Επί and ουσία, signifying the essence or existence, thus implying bread adequate for life. This resonates with the proverb which states, "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me." There is a profound tenderness in the trust that prompts us to raise our hands each day to our heavenly Father, seeking both the physical and spiritual nourishment necessary for our well-being. Both body and soul require sustenance, affirming the wisdom that a sound mind exists within a sound body. The Christian humbly petitions for his daily bread, firmly believing that when God grants him this sustenance, He will also provide all other necessities. He asks solely for the present day, attuned to Christ's reminder not to fret about the morrow. Should God bestow more than the day's needs, the believer will surely express gratitude, for he will have the opportunity to share with others and bring them joy.

By confining requests for physical sustenance to only what is absolutely necessary, by asking not for trivial adornments or excesses that appeal to the senses, but solely for bread, and not for storerooms filled for years ahead, the child of the heavenly Father also contemplates the bread of life, which is essential for spiritual nourishment. This bread encompasses the Word of God (Matthew 4:4) and the holy sacraments, particularly the sacrament of Holy Communion (John 6:53-56). According to St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the pure body and precious blood of Christ represents truly ‘the daily bread, which impacts the very essence of the soul; it nourishes the entire being, benefiting both body and spirit.’