The Shorter Catechism
of the Westminster Assembly
Explained and Proved
from Scripture

by Thomas Vincent

CIV. Ques. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
Ans. In the fourth petition, (which is, "Give us this day our daily bread,") we pray, That, of God's free gift, we may receive a competent portion cf the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.

Q. 1. What is meant by "our daily bread?"
A. By "our daily bread," is meant all outward provision for our daily sustenance. "I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread."— Ps. 132:15.

Q. 2. What do we ask in praying for "our daily bread?"
A. Is praying for "our daily bread," we do not ask plenty, but a competent portion of the good things of this life, such as God seeth to be necessary and most convenient for us. "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me."— Prov. 30:8.

Q. 3. May we not have convenient outward provisions without our asking?
A. We may have convenient outward provisions without our asking, but we cannot have them without God's giving. "Thou givest them their meat in due season. — Ps. 145:15.

Q. 4. Why need we ask of God daily outward provisions, if we may have them without asking?
A. We ought to ask for our daily outward provisions— 1. Because God requireth that we should ask for these things; and he bath promised only unto such, that they should not want them. "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."— Ps. 34:10. 2. Because, in asking aright our daily outward provisions, we ask and obtain the blessing of God with them; and without asking, if we have these things, we have them with God's curse. "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water."— Exod. 23:25.