A Bible Reading
Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)
A Thought
As I watched images on the TV yesterday of empty supermarket shelves and people ’panic buying’ I was reminded of the words in The Lord’s Prayer: ‘Give us this day our daily bread’.
The need for our daily bread has suddenly taken on a new meaning. For those who ‘Seek first his Kingdom’, God promises to provide for all that we need, and we can rejoice in that.
But what does it mean for us, in times of social isolation and panic buying, to ‘Seek first his Kingdom’? Shopping for the housebound is part of that, so too is not taking any more than we need so there is enough for others. We could also buy the odd extra item to give to a Food Bank, or to a neighbour who is struggling. So too is a word of encouragement to the harassed person on the checkout at the supermarket.
A Prayer
Father God, thank you for all the good things that you provide for us. Help us not to worry about what we shall eat or drink, but to share what we have and to trust in your promises to provide. Bless all those involved in the nation’s food chain as we pray ‘Give us this day our daily bread. Amen.