1. The Meaning of Daily Bread and the Teachings of Pastor David Jang
What we commonly call the “Lord’s Prayer” appears in Matthew 6:9–13. Among those verses, the petition “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11) is a precious prayer that every Christian frequently recites. Yet many believers sometimes fail to ponder concretely what this verse truly means in daily life. Regarding this, Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses in his lectures and sermons that “when the Lord told us to literally ask for bread, we must deeply reflect on what that bread signifies.” In other words, the concept of daily bread certainly includes our material needs for survival, but it also encompasses deeper spiritual values and a longing for the Kingdom of Heaven.
People often interpret “daily bread” in a purely spiritual sense. Of course, spiritual nourishment—God’s Word and grace—is absolutely crucial. However, in the context of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus clearly teaches us to pray for “daily bread” in a very practical sense: we are to ask for the food we need each day. Pastor David Jang points out that “if we focus only on ‘spiritual nourishment’ and disregard the actual physical needs of daily life, that would be losing the balance Jesus teaches in prayer.” After all, in Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” But He also said in Matthew 6 (the Lord’s Prayer) to pray for what we eat. Holding these two truths together is crucial: God’s Word is the fundamental principle of human life, yet bread—our daily material needs—is also an important thing we should ask God to provide.
Why, then, is praying for daily bread so urgent? Pastor David Jang draws our attention to Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna… to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” This passage reveals the purpose for which God provided manna in the wilderness, namely, to show His people that He is the one who actually resolves their hunger. But at the same time, manna itself could not be everything in their lives; they had to recognize from where it came and learn to live by God’s Word. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that “without manna, the Israelites would have starved to death immediately, but if they had manna alone without God’s Word, they would have lost sight of the true purpose and identity of their life in the wilderness.” Ultimately, bread is indeed necessary, but we must understand that this bread is not just a matter of material abundance but a living gift from God. Hence, the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer teaches us both to entrust our everyday economic needs to God and to remember that God is the One who supplies them.
At this point, Pastor David Jang often uses the analogy “Bread is money.” In modern society, bread is symbolic; in reality, the resource we most frequently handle in daily life may be money. Thus, included in the petition “Give us this day our daily bread” is the prayer “Give me the daily economic resources and material support I need to live.” This leads to the questions: “How much money do we need to earn?” or “How much is enough?” Of course, we cannot precisely define the limit of such needs for everyone, but Jesus’ instruction to pray in this manner suggests, “Pray boldly that you would have enough for your daily needs—and beyond that, to serve others around you.” The measure of what is sufficient or excessive varies by individual; yet the core principle is that we are not seeking wealth for our own greed or luxury, but rather for the sake of God’s Kingdom and the practice of love.
On a larger scale, the Lord’s Prayer begins with two premises: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Pastor David Jang explains that “these two premises determine the overall direction of the Lord’s Prayer.” The idea that God’s name is to be hallowed, and that God’s Kingdom should come, shows us our life’s purpose and reason for being. We are originally created in God’s image, meant to devote our lives to the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. From that viewpoint, Jesus’ command “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33) is both natural and absolute. And while following that command in actual practice, we pray for the bread we need “today.” Pastor David Jang calls this the “principle of divine priority.” God’s Kingdom comes first, and then material provision follows. But that does not mean we should ignore material concerns; rather, we should boldly ask God for our material needs, while also using those resources to participate actively in God’s Kingdom work.
From this line of thought emerges a key message. As Deuteronomy 8:3 says, bread is not everything, but at the same time, we cannot enjoy bread apart from God’s provision. Hence we do not belittle bread’s importance, but we must also guard against bread becoming the entirety or the ultimate goal of life. Pastor David Jang highlights how Jesus responded to Satan’s temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11) to “turn stones into bread.” Jesus did not deny the existence of bread itself but quoted Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone,” declaring that the Word of God stands above bread. This is the model attitude for a believer: to pray for daily bread but ensure it never takes precedence over God. Thus the prayer “Give us this day our daily bread” is both a very realistic request—“Father, I’m hungry, please feed me”—and a confession of faith that God is the One who provides that bread. Pastor David Jang especially points to the parable in Luke 11 about the man who goes to his friend at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread, explaining that this illustrates the fundamental posture of praying for daily bread. Specifically, in Luke 11:5 and onward, a man goes to a friend’s house late at night to request bread to feed an unexpected guest. Though it’s an inconvenient hour, his earnest plea—driven by love and solidarity—prompts his friend to respond. The core theme is that when earnestness and love intersect, the friend who has bread cannot help but open the door and share it.
According to Pastor David Jang, this scene is a perfect example of what earnest prayer is all about. As someone knocks at midnight crying, “Friend, please give me three loaves of bread,” we, too, should approach God with the same heartfelt plea: “God, give me today what I need. And, in addition, I need more resources to help the needy and suffering around me.” The notable detail here is the phrase “three loaves.” Symbolically, this implies not just praying for one loaf to feed ourselves, but also seeking enough to share with our neighbors. This is the deeper meaning encompassed in the prayer for “daily bread.” It is not only about solving our own hunger but also about embracing the needs of others and seeking a solution in love.
Then in Luke 11:9 and onward, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” And in verse 13, He adds, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the greatest gift that God bestows—and the driving force by which a believer, having received the Spirit, can pray for daily bread and then share that provision. Even if a person obtains material means, they might use it to satisfy their own greed and luxury, or they might invest it for the sake of God’s Kingdom, sharing and serving others. It is at this crossroad that the Holy Spirit, who awakens love and concern for others, becomes indispensable. That is why Jesus does not merely say, “Whatever you ask for, you will receive,” but ultimately expands the scope of prayer to seeking the gift of the Holy Spirit.
How, then, can we actually ask for daily bread and receive the Holy Spirit, in order to share what we have? Pastor David Jang often cites Matthew 17:24–27—the story of finding the temple tax in the mouth of a fish—as an example of “praying for daily bread in concrete reality.” Jesus and Peter had to pay the temple tax but did not have the money. Then Jesus tells Peter, “Go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” This was a marvelous miracle. Yet it is not just a fanciful tale about “money falling from the sky” when people are in need. Rather, it symbolizes that if an essential need arises for God’s Kingdom work, God can provide in unexpected ways. Pastor David Jang explains that through this seemingly outlandish story—“a fish has a coin in its mouth”—we learn that praying for daily bread is never in vain. Human calculations may see no solution, but when God begins to work, the situation changes. However, the critical question is, “Once you receive that money, how will you use it?”—in other words, are you prepared to use it for the sake of God’s Kingdom and acts of love?
Summing up, praying for daily bread is based on the recognition that the Kingdom of God is the absolute priority of life, yet we are also told by Jesus to persistently petition God for the practical needs of day-to-day living. The posture of this prayer must be rooted in love and sharing, not greed. When we sincerely pray for “money” but pledge to use it in love, God can answer our requests “as we ask,” and even “beyond our expectations.” This is the core message of the parable Jesus teaches in Luke 11 and the consistent practical emphasis Pastor David Jang upholds in his teachings on faith.
2. Ask, Seek, Knock – Prayer and the Practice of Love
Luke 11:9 famously says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” This succinctly captures the Christian life of prayer. We need to consider what it means to become “those who ask,” “those who seek,” and “those who knock.” Expounding on this passage, Pastor David Jang explains that “ask, seek, knock” reflects distinct phases in prayer, revealing a progressive approach to God, rather than a single, one-time request.
First, “Ask” describes the most basic posture of prayer. As discussed earlier, this might look like praying specifically, “God, I need food for today. I’m in financial trouble. Please help me.” Pastor David Jang calls this the “child’s heart.” Just as a child does not hesitate to say, “Mom, I’m hungry, give me food,” it is neither irreverent nor immature to pray this way to our Heavenly Father. In fact, failing to ask because we think it makes us seem spiritually immature can be a form of pride. Jesus Himself taught us to pray for our bread. So honesty in bringing our actual needs is the first stage of prayer.
Second, “Seek” goes beyond visible, surface-level needs, probing the deeper purposes of God within those needs. We ask for daily bread, but we move past simply feeding ourselves, wondering, “How can this bread serve God’s Kingdom, and how can I use it to love my neighbor?” Pastor David Jang observes that “we should not stop at ‘Give me food,’ but rather seek the significance of how God is guiding my life through this provision.” Hence prayer often connects with “meditation.” While praying for food, the bigger miracle may not merely be God’s literal provision but how our hearts are transformed and refined in that process. In the midst of hardship, we seek how God works, grow in faith, and ultimately bring glory to God. That is the essence of “seeking” in prayer.
Third, “Knock” signifies a more proactive, determined posture. Pastor David Jang describes this as “drawing near to God with firm faith.” Knocking on a locked door at midnight requires considerable courage and desperation. In the previously mentioned parable, the person going to his friend’s house late at night knew it was inconvenient and might be refused, yet he still pleaded, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.” Ultimately, that friend opened the door and could give him even more than three loaves. The same applies when we pray: even if situations appear blocked or solutions impossible, we must not lose faith. We keep knocking. Pastor David Jang calls this “importunate prayer”—we approach God with a heart full of love and keep at it until He opens the door. And once God opens it, an abundance of grace and provision may come beyond what we had hoped.
Throughout all these stages, love must not be forgotten. Prayer without love can easily devolve into a greedy pursuit. We might pray for more wealth or success, ignoring the needs of others. That is why in Luke 11’s parable of the friend at midnight, the protagonist is not simply trying to satisfy his own hunger; he is trying to meet the needs of a guest. Pastor David Jang explains, “Asking earnestly for greater provision so that we might serve others is a kind of prayer that pleases God.” Prayers motivated by love, oriented toward extending God’s Kingdom, and seeking to uplift others are at the heart of the prayer Jesus taught.
Therefore, when praying for “daily bread,” we must have a clear sense of where the bread comes from and why it is needed: “God, please provide me with bread; help me use it to feed those who are hungry.” That is Pastor David Jang’s practical example of prayer. The line in the Lord’s Prayer—“Give us this day our daily bread”—invites us, in our modern context, to pray earnestly with a holy purpose for those who are hungry, for the finances needed to spread the gospel, for the living expenses of ministers and missionaries, and so on. In this way, prayer is not merely a means of solving life’s problems but the spiritual energy that drives acts of love.
Moreover, when we look back at biblical history, both in the Old and New Testaments, we see countless individuals voluntarily dedicating their wealth or their entire lives to God’s Kingdom. In the early church, believers even sold their possessions, laying the proceeds at the apostles’ feet so that it could be distributed according to each person’s need (Acts 4:34–35). Drawing on such examples, Pastor David Jang emphasizes, “Whoever truly understands ‘the daily bread God provides’ will not cling to that wealth for themselves, but will be able to share it as the early church did.” In that sharing, one experiences profound joy and richness. This resonates with the Lord’s own words that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Thus, those who petition God for the sake of sharing with others become “conduits of blessing” who will receive what they ask for.
3. The Kingdom of God, Forgiveness, and the Direction of Faith
Returning to the flow of the Lord’s Prayer, we note that “Your kingdom come” precedes “Give us this day our daily bread,” followed by the petition, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Luke 11’s version condenses it somewhat into three key themes: “That God’s Kingdom may come,” “Give us our daily bread,” and “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” Pastor David Jang refers to these as the “three pillars of prayer,” pillars that support the Christian life: God’s Kingdom, the supply of material and spiritual needs, and forgiveness.
First, the Kingdom of God is our life’s purpose and ultimate goal. God created humanity in the beginning, intending us to be co-workers in building His Kingdom. Therefore, from the start of His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” placing the Kingdom at the center of His teaching. Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes that even when praying for daily bread, it must be done within the grand vision of God’s Kingdom. Our daily sustenance helps us serve God’s Kingdom and find joy in that service. If we omit the Kingdom from our prayer and merely say, “Make my life more comfortable,” it distorts the essence of prayer.
Second, there is the matter of forgiveness. Luke 11:4 states, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” This is both a relational issue and an internal spiritual issue. Without our sins being forgiven, we cannot stand confidently before God. And if we fail to forgive others, we cannot fully enjoy God’s forgiveness ourselves. Pastor David Jang teaches that forgiveness is “absolutely central” to prayer. Even if all our material needs are met and we work zealously for the Kingdom of God, an unforgiving heart will break relationships and damage the community. Unresolved resentment or hurt ultimately traps a person in guilt or hatred, blocking true freedom. Hence forgiveness is the path to spiritual freedom and the foundation of a genuine Kingdom community.
Pastor David Jang also clarifies that “forgiveness” is more than just an emotional or moral gesture. God’s forgiveness—demonstrated through the cross of Jesus Christ—wiped out a debt we could never repay. Remembering this immeasurable grace, we have no grounds for withholding forgiveness from others; indeed, we are moved to pray for reconciliation in those relationships. When “God’s forgiveness” and “our forgiveness of others” work together, the Lord’s Prayer finds its fulfillment. If the Kingdom of God is pursued without forgiveness, it risks becoming legalistic. If daily bread is prayed for without forgiveness, it may turn into a selfish pursuit of personal gain. Therefore, these three pillars—Kingdom, Bread, and Forgiveness—must be joined to form a complete framework of faith.
To pray for God’s Kingdom concretely means believing that God’s reign has already begun on earth and will be fully consummated in the future. Pastor David Jang often uses the term “historical consciousness,” explaining that “human history ultimately converges on the outcome of God’s Kingdom. Those who grasp this grand trajectory and participate in it are truly wise believers.” Measured by merely visible realities, we may become disoriented by life’s hardships or various worldly temptations and fears. Yet if we trust that “what is accomplished in heaven” will surely unfold on earth, we will not lose hope. This faith is made manifest in prayer: “May God’s Kingdom come more fully, may Your will be done in my workplace, home, and society as it is in heaven. May God’s rule be revealed among my neighbors, church, and the nations.” Such petitions capture the essence of praying for God’s Kingdom.
And in the spiritual power of God’s Kingdom and forgiveness, when we ask for daily bread, we can experience miracles in our daily lives—or at least the peace of knowing that God will provide whatever is truly needed. We learn gratitude for simply having enough to eat each day, and we give thanks for even a little that we can share with others. Furthermore, if “sharing a meal” can convey the love of Jesus to someone, that becomes a tangible extension of God’s Kingdom. Pastor David Jang repeatedly underscores that these humble acts of love cumulatively build up the Church and transform society, advancing the Kingdom of God.
Ultimately, the direction of our faith is focused on “the hallowing of God’s name, the coming of His Kingdom, the fulfillment of His will on earth, the granting of our daily bread, and the practice of forgiveness and love.” We walk along this path and may sometimes fail or become discouraged. We might pray for material needs that do not quickly materialize, or struggle to forgive. Even so, Jesus’ promise to “ask, seek, knock” in Luke 11 assures us that if we persist in prayer, God will answer. Pastor David Jang affirms, “From the beginning until now, God’s pattern of bestowing grace has been remarkably consistent: He reveals Himself to those who pray, pours out His Spirit, and enables them to share, serve, and forgive.” Therefore, prayer is indeed the foundation of our spiritual life. Through prayer, we gain the perspective of God’s Kingdom, the grace of receiving our daily bread, and the power of forgiveness.
Moreover, Pastor David Jang states that “what God wants from us is not eloquent words or abstract confessions, but concrete acts of love in real life.” Scripture also teaches us “not to love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). When we share our time, talents, and resources within the church community, at home, and in society, we demonstrate the love of Christ. Accordingly, “Give us this day our daily bread” must expand into the prayer, “Lord, guide me to share this bread in the world as an agent of Your love.” This is our living worship, and a means by which God’s Kingdom is manifested on earth.
In summary, the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer carries multiple layers of meaning:
- We are to fervently petition God for His provision for our genuine, practical needs.
- This petition must carry within it a heart for God’s Kingdom and concern for our neighbors.
- Through this, forgiveness and love are to be realized.
- Ultimately, the driving force behind all prayer is the Holy Spirit; among all our requests, the most precious is “intimacy with God.”
Pastor David Jang explains that this entire process leads the believer to transition into a “loving mode.” Initially, we might pray in a “having mode” for our own needs, but the Holy Spirit’s work progressively draws us into a “being mode,” and ultimately into a mode of “loving.” Particularly, the parable of the “three loaves of bread” shows how invaluable it is to pray not for bread just for ourselves, but also to share and uplift others. Knocking at the door at midnight is not a selfish act to fill our own stomach; it is driven by the desire to serve a guest. When we pray with such a heart, God opens the door in ways we do not expect, fulfilling “what we ask” and even exceeding it.
Thus “Give us this day our daily bread” is not a superficial, one-time petition; it is an ongoing spiritual habit that intertwines God’s presence with our everyday lives. It compels us to discern what we truly need and encourages us to shift our focus outward—to our neighbors and our community. The resources God grants—whether money, health, or energy—ought to be used as tools of neighborly love. Pastor David Jang adds, “Looking through church history, we see that those who fervently loved God and prayed sincerely were filled to overflowing, enabling them to abundantly support the poor and those who spread the gospel. We are simply following in their footsteps today.” Such a life demonstrates that “God’s name is hallowed, His Kingdom comes, and He supplies our daily bread,” so that we, in turn, become “channels of His love.”
Finally, we must recall the conclusion from Luke 11:13: “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” God generously gives all we need, including daily bread, yet the most precious gift is the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes, we move beyond small personal solutions to live out God’s righteousness, love, forgiveness, and the proclamation of the gospel. Pastor David Jang says, “Once the Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, they inevitably become like Jesus—serving, loving, forgiving, and sharing the good news—because that is our purpose for existing.” And when we do receive the Holy Spirit, even our daily bread becomes an instrument of love and a means of glorifying God.
In the end, this short prayer—“Give us this day our daily bread”—is a crucial confession of faith and a practical request that permeates every aspect of the believer’s life. As we recite this prayer daily, we should deepen our meditation on the heart of God within it. From Deuteronomy 8 and its account of manna, to the teachings of Matthew 6 and 7, to the parable of the friend at midnight in Luke 11, Scripture consistently shows that God cares for our daily lives and wants us to work with Him in establishing His Kingdom. Connecting these passages, Pastor David Jang reiterates, “Through honoring God’s name, inviting His Kingdom to come, and receiving His provision of daily bread, we are finally transformed into ‘vessels of love.’” If we cling firmly to this principle and come to God in prayer day after day, we will not lack anything; rather, we will taste His abundant grace. This is the teaching Jesus left His disciples, and it is the core message Pastor David Jang seeks to convey. Living out this message is ultimately the path to becoming “co-workers in building God’s Kingdom,” the destiny God has planned for us.