What is the Lord's Prayer?
In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we read of Jesus teaching His disciples how they should pray. This famous Scripture is known as The Lord’s Prayer, also sometimes called Our Father's Prayer. Below, you can read through and memorize the Lord’s Prayer as it was the example Jesus gave when asked how we should pray. While this prayer was given as a template by Christ, we must use its word with heartfelt seeking of God! Contemplate the words of the Lord's Prayer to examine your own heart.
The Lord's Prayer (Traditional)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from the evil one.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer (Contemporary)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer in the Bible:
Matthew 6:9-13 - "This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Luke 11:2-4 - "He said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
6 Steps taught in the Lord’s Prayer.
1. Address God’s rightful place as the Father
2. Worship and praise God for who He is and all that He has done
3. Acknowledge that it is God’s will and plans are in control and not our own
4. Ask God for the things that we need
5. Confess our sins and repent
6. Request protection and help in overcoming sin and Satan's attacks on us
As you read this Scripture, let it soak into your heart and begin to talk to God honestly and openly. He created you, loves you, and wants to hear from you! Use the Lord's Prayer as a way to walk through communicating with God!
Strengthen your prayer life with this free PDF Discerning the Voice of God: A 30-Day Prayer Challenge
Meaning of the Lord's Prayer
The Father-Son relationship within the Trinity reveals our potential relationship with God. Christ, the Son of God, grants us the privilege of calling God Our Father by the grace of adoption (Galatians 4:4-7). As a "son of God," the Christian is called to love, trust, and serve God as Christ does the Father. We must note that God is not our Father simply because He created us. He is the only Father to those in a saving and personal relationship with Him, a communion that only comes by the grace of adoption.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17)
"Daily" is actually a misleading translation of the Greek epiousios, which is literally "above the essence," or "supersubstantial." The expression for daily bread indicates not merely bread for this day, for earthly nourishment; it is the bread for the eternal day of the Kingdom of God, for the nourishment of our immortal soul. This living, supersubstantial bread is Christ Himself. In the Lord's Prayer, we are not asking merely for material bread for physical health but for spiritual bread for eternal life. (Read more about this in John 6:27-58)
Bible Verses About the Lord & Prayer
2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Psalm 145:18 - The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Proverbs 15:29 - The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Read More Scripture on Prayer at BibleStudyTools.com
How the Lord's Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray
The Lord's Prayer is not a formula for prayer. If we take this too literally, we will miss the principles, the general framework, that we can grab from this passage. But as Nicole Unice, host of the How to Study the Bible Podcast, teaches us in this episode, there is SO much to learn from the Lord's prayer about how to pray. Listen in as we deep dive into Matthew 6 and learn what it means to pray.
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This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for God’s Help
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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