Prayer is a personal conversation with our Father. It should not be filled with clever Christian clichés or worn-out prayer phrases. It is fresh, real, and uninhibited—like any meaningful conversation in our lives. Using the Lord’s Prayer to learn how we are to pray, we see the principles of revering the person of God not only in quiet prayer time but also in the car on a backed-up road when we are in a hurry and in the interactions with our children at the end of the day when we are tired. We have considered our need to submit to the Father’s will. Now, we will focus on dependence.

Luke 4:3–4
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

After Jesus fasted for forty days, Satan confronted him. The first temptation was to turn stones into bread. Food was something Jesus wanted and needed. Turning stones into bread was something he, the Creator, could do. The offer was inviting, but as hungry as Jesus was, he resisted. His reasoning is very instructive: “Man shall not live by bread alone,” Matthew adds, “but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The response from Jesus moves us beyond the substance that could satisfy the stomach for a short time to the Person who can satisfy the soul for eternity. What a lesson that is for us! We are tempted to trust in what is supplied. Jesus reminds us to always trust in the One who supplies.

Father, we are easily satisfied by things. We sometimes believe that possessions, a situation, or a fulfilled dream will bring satisfaction to our hearts. Remind us that no material thing or person can meet our crying need. Only you can supply everything that we need. Help us depend on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.