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Meaning of The Lord's Prayer "Our Father..." from the Bible Explained
- Dolores Smyth Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Updated Nov 12, 2024
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, 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.
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 heavenly, 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.
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.
Let's look at the Lord's Prayer line by line and to better understand the seven petitions of the Lord:
1. 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). Praying this way means to honor and revere God's name as holy. It is a declaration of God's sanctity and a commitment to uphold His holiness in our lives.
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.
2. 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). It is an expression of our desire for God's reign and rule to be fully realized on earth. It is a call for God's justice, peace, and love to prevail in the world.
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).
3. 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 here for God to give us the strength to follow His will, not ours, in living a life that glorifies Him and shows compassion and justice to others.
4. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
"Daily bread" refers to our daily needs and sustenance. It signifies our reliance on God for provision and reminds us to trust Him for our everyday necessities.
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 so that we can 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).
5. 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 than 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).
By choosing to replace 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.
6. 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 that we may face (1 Corinthians 10:13).
"Lead us not into temptation" is a plea for God to guide us away from situations where we might be tempted to sin. It acknowledges our vulnerability and asks for His protection and strength to overcome challenges.
In this supplication, we acknowledge that our free will brings with it human weaknesses. To overcome those weaknesses, we pray here for God to extend His guiding hand over us and grant us the discernment necessary to steer clear of temptation and sin.
7. 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.
What Does This Mean?
The Lord’s Prayer is much more than a handy guide on what to pray when no other words come to mind. The prayer, if we meditate on each petition, 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.
Significance of the Lord's Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is truly one of the most well-loved and well-known prayers in the world! Christians across all traditions—whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox—share this prayer in worship, reciting it together in churches, small groups, and families. Its simple, beautiful structure makes it easy to memorize, so many of us learn it as kids and hold onto it throughout our lives.
But the Lord’s Prayer goes beyond just church walls. You’ll find it referenced in books, music, art, and even in movies. This presence keeps it familiar to people of all backgrounds and reminds us of its powerful message. Because Jesus Himself taught this prayer, it holds a special place in our hearts. It’s not only a model for prayer but also a way to feel directly connected to God and to each other as believers. Across generations, it has been a unifying and comforting expression of faith, making it just as relevant and meaningful today. It holds great importance for several reasons:
1. Taught by Jesus Himself
The Lord’s Prayer is unique because it was taught directly by Jesus. In both Matthew (Matthew 6:9-13) and Luke (Luke 11:2-4), we see Jesus offering this prayer as a model for His disciples. Because it comes straight from Jesus, it shows us exactly what’s important in prayer and how to approach God.
2. A Template for How to Pray
The Lord’s Prayer gives us a beautiful framework for prayer, covering praise, confession, gratitude, and requests (often remembered by the acronym ACTS). It’s a reminder that prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about adoring God, seeking forgiveness, giving thanks, and asking for help in a balanced way that strengthens our relationship with Him.
3. A Universal Prayer Across All Denominations
One of the incredible things about the Lord’s Prayer is that Christians all over the world, from every background and denomination, recite it. It’s a unifying prayer that brings believers together, no matter where we come from, as we lift our voices in the words Jesus gave us.
4. Reminds Us of Who God Is
Starting with “Our Father,” this prayer reminds us of our relationship with God—as a loving, caring Father. It emphasizes His holiness, power, and our deep desire for His will to be fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven. In these few words, we’re reminded of His sovereignty and His closeness.
5. Acknowledging Our Daily Dependence
In this prayer, we ask God to meet our daily needs, forgive our sins, and protect us from evil. These petitions remind us that we rely on God for every aspect of life—physically, spiritually, and morally. It’s a humble expression of our dependence on His guidance and provision.
6. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The Lord’s Prayer includes a powerful line about forgiveness: we ask God to forgive us just as we forgive others. This shows how essential forgiveness is to our faith—it’s not just something we receive, but something we’re called to extend to others. It’s a beautiful call to live in grace and reconciliation.
7. A Vision of God’s Kingdom
Finally, this prayer expresses a longing for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done. It reminds us of the ultimate hope we have in God’s redemptive plan and the coming of His kingdom on earth. It’s a prayer that looks forward, rooted in the hope of God’s love and justice.
The Lord’s Prayer is so much more than a set of words—it’s a pathway to deeper faith, greater unity, and a closer connection to God. Each line speaks to our hearts and draws us closer to God’s purpose for us and for the world.
Additional Versions of The Lord's Prayer
Contemporary Version
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" for Kids
Our Father in Heaven, you are awesome!
Show us who you are and how you want us to be.
Make earth more like heaven.
Please give us what we need to keep going each day.
Help us when we are wrong, and clean us up on the inside.
Help us to let other people off and move on.
Keep us from bad stuff. You’re in charge!
You’re strong and powerful and always there.
Forever! Amen.
The Lord's Prayer: God's Word Translation
Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.
Let your kingdom come.
Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
Give us our daily bread today.
Forgive us as we forgive others.
Don’t allow us to be tempted.
Instead, rescue us from the evil one, Amen.
FAQ's about the Lord's Prayer
Why did Jesus teach the Lord's Prayer?
Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer to model how His followers should approach God in prayer. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, reverence, and seeking God's will.
Can I pray using my own words instead of the exact words of the Lord's Prayer?
Yes, you can personalize your prayers while maintaining the foundational structure of the Lord's Prayer. Jesus encouraged sincerity and authenticity in prayer (Matthew 6:6).
Is the Lord's Prayer only for Christians?
While Jesus taught it to His disciples, the principles within the prayer—such as acknowledging God's sovereignty, seeking forgiveness, and relying on His guidance—are universal and applicable to anyone seeking a relationship with God.
Is the Lord's Prayer meant to be recited verbatim or as a model for prayer?
The Lord's Prayer can be used both ways: it can be recited verbatim as a meaningful prayer in itself, and it can also serve as a model, guiding us in how to structure our own prayers and what themes to include.
Why do some versions of the Lord's Prayer end with "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever"?
This doxology, though not found in all biblical manuscripts, is included in many Christian traditions as a concluding praise to God. It affirms His eternal sovereignty, power, and glory.
Related:
How to Pray Using the Lord's Prayer
Why Do We Prayer "Forever and Ever, Amen?"
What Does Each Section of the Lord's Prayer Mean? Video Series
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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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The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
