Morning Prayer - Your Miraculous Multiplication

Jesus,

I come to you in the silence of this new day, hungry and thirsty for your presence, for your word. I see myself in that great crowd that sought you in a remote place.

I, too, sometimes feel lost, like part of a crowd without direction, and I long for your guidance.

Lord, your gaze moves me. Today, you look upon me and upon all who feel confused. You see us before we even speak, and you have compassion on us in our vulnerability.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (Mark 6:34)

Teach me, Lord. Feed my soul with your wisdom before I feed my body.

Grant that I may give others to eat

Your disciples were practical, realistic. They saw the problem—the hunger of the crowd, but the solution was beyond their power. I, too, often see only my own lack, my “two hundred denarii” that I do not have.

I despair at how little I have to offer. And it is precisely then, in my powerlessness, that I hear your challenge.

But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’ (Mark 6:37)

Lord, what can I give them? All I have are five loaves and two fish. My smallness, my time, my limited abilities. But that is exactly what you ask for. You take the little that I surrender to you.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. (Mark 6:41)

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. (John 6:11)

This is the same care you showed your people in the desert when you sent them manna.

Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.’ (Exodus 16:4)

Your hand always feeds us at the proper time.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)

And when you give the blessing, there is abundance. No one is left hungry.

They all ate and were satisfied. (Mark 6:42)

You are the Bread of Life

Lord, this miracle is not just a story about physical food. It speaks of a deeper hunger that dwells within me—a hunger for meaning, love, acceptance, and eternity. It is the experience of the living God, which alone truly satisfies the soul.

Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ (John 6:35)

Feed me with yourself, Jesus. Be my bread for today.

Your generosity is boundless, yet at the same time, you teach me not to be careless with your gifts. You teach me gratitude and care for every crumb of grace.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ (John 6:12)

I ask you, Lord, help me today to gather these pieces of your goodness and share them with others. May I be filled by you, and may your fullness flow through me to all whom I will meet.

Amen.

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