Question 104

Which is the fourth Petition?

Give us this day our daily bread.

What do we pray for in this Petition?

We pray that we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life. Prov. 30. 8.

What is meant by a competent portion?

Such a portion as is sufficient and convenient for us, or suitable to our places and conditions here in this life.

Are the things in this life then good in themselves?

Yes, although not the only, or principal good things.

How ought we to pray to receive this portion?

Of Gods free gift. Iam. 1. 17.

What else do we pray for to enjoy with them?

Gods blessing.^a

Do not those then that trade and work for outward things, without praying to God for them, take a wrong course to get them, and to have them with a blessing in a Covenant way?

Yes.^b

And is it not sufficient that we have these outward things, unless we have Gods blessing with them?

No.

Why do we say, Give us [this day] our daily bread?

It is to teach us not to take care for to morrow, and to instruct us that we must pray daily.^c

And why do we pray for Bread?

It is to teach us to moderate our affections to, and desires after earthly things; and to be content, if we have but necessaries.^d

In what Petition do we pray for temporal things?

In this fourth Petition.