Discover The Lord’s Prayer and its meaning, where it is in the Bible and why it’s important to Christians. Learn how praying this prayer can deepen your faith.
What is The Lord’s Prayer?
At its heart, The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most famous prayers in Christianity, given directly by Jesus to his disciples. It’s a simple but profound prayer that has stood the test of time, teaching us how to communicate with God and offering a blueprint for personal worship and shared devotion within the Church community.
Where is The Lord’s Prayer in the Bible?
The Lord’s Prayer verse appears in two slightly different forms in the New Testament.
You’ll find the first, more concise version in Luke 11:2–4. The disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus shares the prayer with them in response. The second, more detailed version is in Matthew 6:9–13 from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus shares this slightly longer version as an example of how to pray individually to God.
The two versions of The Lord’s Prayer
Traditional translation
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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Contemporary translation
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 for ever.
Amen.
What does The Lord’s Prayer mean?
Despite their minor differences, both versions of The Lord’s Prayer guide us through elements of a relationship with God and a life of faith. Let’s break it down together line by line:
‘Our Father in heaven’ (getting close to God)
The beginning of The Lord’s Prayer is special. It lets us talk to God as our ‘Father’ – a loving, caring parent we can trust completely. Saying ‘in heaven’ also reminds us that he’s powerful, holy and above everything else. So, it’s a prayer to a God who’s loving and strong.
‘Hallowed be your name’ (worship and honour)
‘Hallowed’ basically means to make holy or to respect and honour. We’re not making God’s name holy (it already is!), but we’re saying we want his name – everything about who he is, his character and his reputation – to be honoured and lifted up in our lives and all over the world. It’s our way of showing him worship and respect.
‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’ (wanting the best for the world)
This part is a need for God’s way of doing things to happen here on Earth, just like it does perfectly in heaven. We’re saying we want his love, justice and peace to be reflected in our world. It’s about letting go of our own plans and letting God’s plan unfold all around us – and being willing to act as God prompts us to be a part of that process.
‘Give us today our daily bread’ (trusting God for our needs)
This part of The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we can look to God for everything we need. ‘Daily bread’ means more than just food; it includes everything essential for life – a safe place to live, food on our table, our health and wellbeing. It encourages us to trust God for what we need today, rather than worrying too much about tomorrow.
In the Bible, the Israelites ate manna, a sweet substance provided to them in the desert. This wasn’t just a physical food, but a powerful lesson for trusting God for their daily provision and embracing the sabbath rest. Jesus later expanded on this, saying ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). He then revealed his ultimate identity, saying, ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35) and ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven’ (John 6:51), directly referencing manna. It highlights God’s practical provision for our everyday needs and the profound significance of placing our trust in him.
At CAP, we know that the people we help struggle to get the essential things they need to survive, and many people are in a similar situation, having to trust God for daily provision of the basic. That’s why, as well as giving free, expert debt help, we also share the love of Jesus so that they can feel the peace and security given to us freely by God.
‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us’ (learning to forgive)
God, with his immense grace, has already extended that profound forgiveness to us. This gift forms the foundation of our relationship with him, strengthening it as we accept his mercy. It’s about recognising his deep forgiveness towards us, leading us to a peace that surpasses all understanding, which allows us to live more freely in his presence and reflect his grace.
‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil’ (asking for protection)
In this part of The Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to keep us safe from temptations and difficult situations that could lead us away from him. We’re asking God to give us the strength to face challenges, and guide us in the right direction. It’s a prayer for protection from bad influences and from our own weaknesses.
‘For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.’ (ending with praise)
The ending to The Lord’s Prayer was added later by the early Church as a liturgical practice. Even though you may not see this in every Bible translation, it resonated with early Christian worship so much so that it became widely used. It gives all the praise, power and glory back to God. It reminds us that his love is eternal, he’s always in charge and always worthy of our worship.
Why is The Lord’s Prayer important to Christians?
In a world that’s filled with complexity and uncertainty, The Lord’s Prayer remains constant and has stood the test of time. It’s a prayer that teaches us:
To put God first in our lives
To want what God wants for the world and for us
To trust him to provide what we need each day
To forgive others freely, just as God forgives us
To ask for his help and protection when things are hard
To praise him
Why do Christians say The Lord’s Prayer together?
You might be wondering why Christians across the world recite The Lord’s Prayer in unison during church services and gatherings. This shared act of prayer is significant in lots of different ways:
1. Unity in Christ
When we say ‘Our Father,’ we’re reminded that we’re not just praying as individuals, but as part of a global family of believers. It shows that we have a shared identity in Christ that gives us a sense of belonging, spanning all denominations, cultures and languages. It also offers Christians a way of joining together in a shared spiritual practice.
2. A common act of faith
The Lord’s Prayer provides a framework for prayer that all Christians can follow. In a world where people may have different theological perspectives, The Lord’s Prayer is a place for common ground, letting everyone have one voice and following Jesus’ example directly.
3. Following Jesus’ model
Jesus taught this prayer to ‘his disciples’ (which is plural). Although The Lord’s Prayer can be prayed individually in private prayer time (which Jesus himself encouraged), the wording ‘our’ and ‘us’ suggests that it’s also meant to be prayed communally, bringing Christians together in shared devotion and worship.
Your kingdom come, your will be done
As we pray with one voice and one heart, we invite God’s culture of justice, love, provision and forgiveness to be released in every community and every life.
Whether you recite it daily, weekly or turn to it in moments of quiet reflection, The Lord’s Prayer offers a timeless framework for genuine connection with God. It’s a prayer that continues to shape lives and bring hope, just as Jesus intended.
