When the devil tempted Our Lord to turn stones, that lay around Him, into bread, in order to satisfy His hunger, the answer of the Son of God was that "not by bread alone doth man live, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." In other words, that which alone will nourish our souls, make them strong in the grace of God, and enable them to grow continually in virtue, is to do each day the work that God appoints for us. This is the bread that "strengthens man's heart." This is the spiritual bread that we ask for in this petition. This alone will really satisfy our souls. The first requisite, the only requisite of a life pleasing to God, is that each day should be so spent as we believe God desires it to be spent.

This is the meaning of Our Lord's answer to His Apostles at the well of Samaria, "My meat is to do the will of God, and to perfect His work." God had given Him a definite work to do, and nothing else had any importance in His eyes. For this and for this alone. He lived. So God has for every one of us a certain definite work for Him that He desires us to do. If we do it, our life will be a success; if not, a failure.

We cannot live this life of obedience without prayer. We cannot even find out what is the bread that will nourish us, what is the work God desires of us, unless we ask Him to enlighten us. We cannot carry into execution what we know to be His will, unless He strengthens us. Daily, therefore, I must pray, "Give me this day the grace of feeding on the bread that God assigns me, of doing the Work that He would have me do, and none other."