Jesus Himself gave us the words to the Lord’s Prayer, found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4).
More specifically, when one of Jesus’ disciples asked the Lord to teach the disciples how to pray, Christ responded by giving us this short prayer that perfectly summarizes what Christians believe and how Christians should live.
The Lord's Prayer
The traditional form of "The Lord's Prayer" is found in the King James Version of Matthew 6:9-13:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as* we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Our Father or Pater Noster, contains seven petitions. The number seven often connotes completion or perfection in Scripture, and the Lord’s Prayer is just that — a complete and perfect summary of divine teachings.
Meaning of The Lord's Prayer
Learn the true importance of The Lord's Prayer as we examine the meaning and profound teaching in each of the phrases:
1. Our Father, Who Art in Heaven
The prayer opens simply enough with an address to Our Father, who art in Heaven. This address reaffirms our core belief as Christians that God is our celestial Father, both with us in spirit and above us in the perfect realm of Heaven. This opening address also unites Christians worldwide into one community of worshippers as we pray to “our” Father and not individually to “my” Father.
After this address, invoking the Lord, the seven petitions follow:
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name
Hallowed means holy or sanctified. God’s name is holy, as God is the epitome of sanctity. “There is no one holy like the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:2).
We, as Christians, understand that the Almighty Father is to be revered and praised above all else. In this petition, we pray that the entire world will recognize the holy name of God as the one true God of all, the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
3. Thy Kingdom Come
This petition is two-fold. First, we pray for the Kingdom of God to take form in the here and now so that we can live in a world characterized by faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Second, we pray that the promise of a “new heaven and a new earth” be fulfilled. When that promise is fulfilled, the faithful will live with God in His Kingdom eternally as members of a Holy City in which there is no death, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-4).
4. Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it Is in Heaven
God reigns from Heaven with compassion and justice (Isaiah 30:18). His will is that we praise Him and love one another. We know this because Jesus summarized the entirety of God’s Word into two commands — love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
Praying this petition is an act of selfless surrender to the will of God. In particular, we humbly request that God give us the strength to follow His will, not ours, in living a life that glorifies Him and shows compassion and justice to others.
5. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Just as good food nourishes the body, the Good News nourishes the soul. The Bible instructs that “man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
In this appeal, we pray for spiritual sustenance to have the fortitude to go out into the world and spread His Message through our words and actions. This nourishment comes from the Word of God and from communion with Christ, who is the “bread of life” that comes down from Heaven so that “whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (John 6:48-58).
6. And Forgive Us Our Trespasses, as We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us
This section of the Lord’s Prayer may be the toughest to pray and follow. However, this request contains much wisdom. While anyone can ask to receive forgiveness, reflecting on the way we forgive others can lead us to patience and grace, which can be transformative.
For times when forgiving someone proves especially difficult, the Bible teaches that a good time to extend forgiveness is during prayer when our minds and hearts are united with God (Mark 11:25).
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By replacing resentment with forgiveness, we reflect God’s love and mercy in our actions. This, in turn, enables us to walk more confidently toward God, who wants our every step to be toward Him.
7. And Lead Us Not into Temptation
Temptation can cause us to sin and lead us away from God in ways that can be cumulative. God doesn’t lead us to sin; we do that all on our own because of the free will our Creator gave us. But our God is faithful and promises to provide a way out of any temptation we may face (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In this supplication, we acknowledge that our free will brings with it human weaknesses. To overcome those weaknesses, we pray for God to extend His guiding hand over us and grant us the discernment necessary to steer clear of temptation and sin.
8. But Deliver Us from Evil
This petition covers the many times that we do fall prey to temptation and sin. During these times of entanglement, if we continually seek the Lord, He will answer us and deliver us from all of our fears (Psalm 34:4).
In this appeal, we ask, during those times when we’re mired in sin, that the Almighty Father will reach down and liberate us from evil’s grip. This petition is also one for protection, as we ask God to protect us from the devil’s grasp in all future circumstances.
Significance of the Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer, also known as the "Our Father," is one of the most well-known and significant prayers in Christianity. It holds great importance for several reasons:
Taught by Jesus: The Lord's Prayer is special because Jesus directly taught it to his disciples. In the New Testament, it is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 6:9-13) and Luke (Luke 11:2-4) as part of Jesus' teachings. Because it comes from the lips of Jesus himself, it is considered a model for Christian prayer.
A Template for Prayer: The Lord's Prayer is a template for Christian prayer. It includes essential elements of prayer, such as adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS). It provides a structured and comprehensive framework for believers to follow in their own personal and corporate prayer.
Universal Prayer: The Lord's Prayer is often recited by Christians worldwide, transcending denominational boundaries. It is used in various Christian liturgies, services, and traditions. This universality makes it a unifying element in the diverse Christian faith.
Teaching About God: The Lord's Prayer begins with the words "Our Father," emphasizing the relationship between God and believers as a loving and caring Father. It conveys the idea of God's sovereignty, holiness, and the desire for His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Petition and Dependence: The prayer includes petitions for daily needs, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from evil. It encourages believers to express their dependence on God for their physical, spiritual, and moral well-being.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Lord's Prayer contains the request for forgiveness of sins and the condition that believers must also forgive others. This emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Christian life.
Kingdom of God: The prayer expresses the desire for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on Earth. It emphasizes the Christian hope for the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His kingdom.
In summary, the Lord's Prayer is foundational and widely recognized in Christianity, not only for its content but also for its role in shaping the practice of Christian prayer and its significance in the spiritual life of believers.
The Lord’s Prayer is much more than a handy guide on what to pray when no other words come to mind. If we meditate on each petition, the prayer serves as a moral compass that reveals the best way to go before the Father in requesting His guidance and protection.
The Lord’s Prayer focuses our thoughts on what’s important in life by summarizing all that we must do to be “good and faithful servants,” namely: revere God, accept His will, know His Word, love each other through forgiveness, and resist evil.
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Dolores Smyth is a nationally published faith and parenting writer. She draws inspiration for her writing from everyday life. Connect with her over Twitter @byDoloresSmyth.
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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