“Give Us Today Our Daily Bread”: words to God are now also words from Lutherans to each other and to the world
STUTTGART, Germany, 27 July 2010 — When Christians pray “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread,” the words are addressed to God. But Lutherans attending the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) here turned those words also towards each other in a message to the 145 churches in 79 countries that are members of the global Lutheran communion.
“True humanity” is found in receiving and giving, said the message. While the whole of creation is a gift from God, neighbors depend upon the gifts they give each other. The message reminded Christians that they should give thanks to God, give the Gospel message to others, give their knowledge and material goods to those in need, and care for the environment so that future generations “may enjoy the fruits of creation and lead wholesome lives.”
Lutherans are part of a worldwide community with other Christians and people of other faiths or people who have no faith, said the section of the message focusing on the word, “us.” Because religious and social differences can fracture the community, the message urged Lutherans to seek the “reconciliation that is possible in Christ,” citing as an example the Assembly’s repentance for past injustices committed by Lutherans against Mennonites. The statement urged continuing dialogue with Mennonites, Protestants who were once denounced by Lutherans.
The message said that acknowledging the worldwide community means seeking “gender justice” for men and women, opposing commercialization of the human body and trafficking in human beings, and acknowledging the needs and rights of children and those with disabilities.
Churches should give more visibility to women pastors and women in lay leadership, and commit themselves to seeking equal rights for women in society. Welfare of children should also be a “priority for future theology and action,” the message said. “When we put the rights, needs and welfare of children at the centre.
See also:
- Christians to Create “Prophetic Responses to Humanity”
- “We Will Be Instruments of God’s Answer to the Prayer of Others”
- Giving Young People a Future
- LWF Christmas Message: Christ Meets Humanity Where People Struggle for Justice and Peace
- Humanity at a Crossroads
- “It is our daily bread, not my daily bread”
- “We Recognize the Obligation of Feeding the World Physically and Spiritually”
- “We Recognize Ourselves as Children of the Reformation”
- “Profits Only” Thinking Deprives People of Daily Bread
- Daily bread out of reach for many
