Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 6:11

"Give us this day our daily bread." — Matthew 6:11 (ASV)

Give us this day, etc. The word bread here denotes, doubtless, everything necessary to sustain life (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3). This petition implies our dependence on God for the supply of our wants. As we are dependent on him one day as much as another, it was evidently the intention of our Savior that prayer should be offered every day.

This is, moreover, expressed in the plural number—give us. It is evidently, therefore, intended to be used by more than one, or by some community of people. No community or congregation can meet every day for worship except families. It is therefore evident that this prayer is a strong implied command for daily family prayer.

It can nowhere else be used so as to fully meet the original intention; and nowhere else can it be breathed forth with so much propriety and beauty as from the lips of a father, the venerable priest of his household, and the intercessor with God for those rich blessings which a parental heart desires for his beloved children.