The Lord’s Prayer, oftentimes referred to as the “Our Father Prayer”, is perhaps the most popular prayer in all of Christianity.
It is known in many languages, and is recited around the world.
There are several different versions of the “Our Father Prayer”, though the most popular is the Catholic version with the
doxology on the end:
The Lord’s Prayer
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 evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Table of contents
The Greek Version
The Lord’s Prayer was originally, of course, written in Greek, and all subsequent versions were translated from the Greek
version:
The Original in Greek
Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς·
ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου·
ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου·
γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου,
ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς·
τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον·
καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν,
ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν·
καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν,
ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.
When to Say The Lord’s Prayer
Many people say the Our father prayer as a daily prayer either in the morning or in the evening. Most christian congregations
say the prayer once during the service.
I say this prayer whenever I’m feeling lost or without purpose. The prayer is so simple and short yet has such a nice flow
to it. Whenever and wherever you say it, may God be with you when you do.
Watch this beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer sung by Charlotte Church.
www.praywithme.com
In Matthew 6:9-13 and in Luke 11:2-4 we read of Jesus teaching his disciples how they should pray. This popular Scripture is known as The Lord’s Prayer, and some know it by Our Father Prayer. Below you can read through and memorize the Lord’s Prayer as it was the example Jesus used when asked how we should pray. Remember though that it is a teaching tool not a magical saying that can influence God differently than any other prayer from our hearts.
The Lords Prayer/Our Father Prayer Bible Scripture:
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 of prayer that Jesus teaches us in the example of 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 Lords Prayer as a a way to walk through communicating with God and make it your own!
Christianity.com: The Lord’s Prayer from christianitydotcom on GodTube.
Bible Verses About Prayer
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.
Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through our wordless groans.
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
This article is part of our larger Prayers 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.
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersThe Prayer of JabezShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerThe Prayer of St FrancisSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerIrish Prayers and Blessings
Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional! An easy way to find start your day with prayer, read today’s prayer and sign up to receive by email.
www.crosswalk.com
Reader Approved
The Lord’s Prayer is a basic and very important pattern as Jesus taught us to pray when the disciples asked. Given by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-14 (“This is how you should pray,” He said), it is considered an outline of an individual Christian’s relationship with God and other people.
It praises the Lord and covers everything we need in this life and to attain happiness. This is often one of the first prayers taught to a new Christian, whether a child is learning to pray or an adult is entering the faith. Make it a living prayer, as a guide every day, that God may bless you in every way.
Steps
- Quiet your thoughts and focus them on God.
If you want, kneel, close your eyes, or make the
Sign of the Cross
. Begin with:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
be Thy name”. Here, you praise God as your Father and lift up His name as holy.
- Praise the Lord’s kingdom and desire its fulfillment:
“Thy kingdom come.” His kingdom brings righteousness, peace, and joy in the presence of the Holy Spirit; and you are asking Him to usher these values into the world.
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Next, trust your life into the hands of the Lord, saying: “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” God is just and kind, and He sees what is best for you in the long run, so you seek to submit yourself to His will.
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Ask God to help you with your daily needs by praying: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
- Ask Him to wash away your sins, while reminding you that you should let go of your grudges and anger. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
- Ask God to guard you from testing and evil. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
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Declare His power, trusting that everything is possible with Him, saying: “For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever.”
- Conclude your prayer humbly by saying:
“Amen.” Jesus taught us: “After this manner therefore pray: Our Father who 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.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever. Amen.”
(Matthew 6: 9–13)
Community Q&A
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Question
How do I focus on God?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
Studying the Bible is a great way to focus on God.
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Question
Do I have to recite the Lord’s Prayer every time I pray? Or can I simply speak to God and thank him, etc?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
You can definitely just pour your heart out to God. The Lord’s Prayer is a great prayer to return to when you can’t think of anything else to pray, though.
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Question
Is the Lord’s Prayer a good prayer when fasting?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
Yes, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedth out of the mouth of God.”
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Question
What do I do if I am unable to quiet my mind and focus?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
Get comfortable somewhere quiet, close your eyes, and take several deep breaths, focusing just on your breathing. You could also try heading to a park and settle down in a peaceful place.
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Question
Do I have to pray the same prayer every night?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
No. Just talk to God. Whatever is in your heart, he hears.
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Question
How can I pray when I am getting ready to go to sleep?
Acrocanthosaurus
Community Answer
You don’t have to fold your hands, kneel, or even speak out loud to pray. You can think about the words and what they mean in your head.
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Question
How do I pray in Nepali?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
Pray as you would any place. Taking time in your thoughts to talk with God does not have to be anything which any other knows about except yourself. Your thoughts, prayers, to God are private. Praying while working, doing daily activities keeps you with the ever present Lord though the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a blessing and free to all who desire a relationship with Christ.
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Question
What is meant by “lead us not into temptation” in the Lord’s Prayer?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
“Lead Us Not Into Temptation” means “don’t lead us to sin.” It is asking the Lord to guide you morally, and to steer you away from situations where you might commit a sin.
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Question
What are all the “thines” and “thous” for?
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
“Thou,” “thy,” and “thine” are older-English, more formal versions of “you,” “your,” and “yours,” respectively. When the Bible was translated into English, these were the common terms, and a lot of prayers and religious writings continue to use them – though there are also more modernized versions of the Lord’s Prayer than have updated the language.
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Question
Is it appropriate to say “Our father or mother” instead of just “Our father?”
wikiHow Contributor
Community Answer
Jesus said, “Our Father…” Let’s follow his example. The Scriptures identify God in the masculine form, not the feminine. Also remember, that God is a Spirit and not made of flesh like us.
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Tips
- For God to forgive you, it is important you do the same. You need to actually forgive others when you pray as we forgive those who trespass against us.
- Do not thoughtlessly recite this prayer – think about it and say if from the heart.
- The apparent meaning depicted in the words of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer, as a Christian’s first and most ardent desire, is: (1) the glory of God (desiring that God’s “will being done on earth” which is all encompassing), and (2) the happiness of man by His kingdom coming and (3) asks for no more of this world than daily bread (this would perhaps include occupation and health), longing meantime for the bread that came down from heaven and (4) whose only other desires are forgiveness of sins, as he heartily forgives others, and (5) sanctification (desiring to avoid wrongdoing).
Warnings
- Jesus: “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt 6:7-8)
- Jesus said: “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt. 6:5-6)
Sources and Citations
- For the full exposition of the Lord’s Prayer look at this article :-
Article Info
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Lord,
it is night.The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.In your name we pray.
Amen.
This prayer in Night Prayer of A New Zealand Prayer Book He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (page 184) is possibly the best-known, best-loved of the “endemic” prayers in that prayer book. This week I was again asked about the history of the prayer, and I saw some incorrect stories circulating.
Rev. John Williamson was the secretary of the Provincial Commission on Prayer Book Revision when it concluded its work in 1987. He has since died. He was a humble, talented priest, serving the commission and the church. The commission had been meeting for its very last meeting to prepare to send the text off for its debate at General Synod. They asked John to lead the final time of prayer together.
He wrote the above prayer and used it at that service. Read the prayer again, and you can hear echoes of how the commission felt after its years of intense work. After the time of prayer one of the commission members said it should go into the Prayer Book. The others agreed, and the prayer had to be retrieved from the waste paper basket where John, humble as ever, had tossed it after leading that office.
You can read more NZ liturgical history here.
image source: Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo, New Zealand.
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