The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how they should pray. It begins with “Our Father in heaven” and teaches Christians to honor God’s name, seek his kingdom and will, ask for daily provision, receive forgiveness, forgive others, resist temptation, and seek deliverance from evil.
Most Christians know the prayer by heart in their own language, and it is used today by every Christian tradition, though there are sometimes minor variations in the wording. It has a place in every Anglican act of worship and forms a pattern for prayer for Christians.
The Lord’s Prayer in contemporary English
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.
The Lord’s Prayer in traditional English
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.
The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 passage is found in Matthew 6:9-13. The text is found in two slightly different versions in the New Testament-Matthew 6.9-13 and Luke 11.1-4.
The version from Luke
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
The prayer as we use it today is a version that was adapted by the early Christian communities from the two Gospel texts, and it was taught in this form to new converts. The final sentence, giving glory to God, is called the doxology. It is not part of the New Testament text, but was added very early on. The Lord’s Prayer is occasionally said without it.
What the prayer teaches
It has a place in every Anglican act of worship, and forms a pattern for prayer for Christians:
- We bless God and pray for our world, our communities and our lives to be shaped by God’s will.
- We pray for daily needs to be met.
- We pray for forgiveness for wrongdoings.
- We pray for strength to resist temptation and protection from danger.
The prayer begins with God and his holiness, kingdom, and will before turning to human needs. It joins worship, dependence, repentance, reconciliation, perseverance, and hope in one brief prayer.
“Our Father in heaven”
God is approachable. Prayer is something anyone can do. You don’t have to use complicated words or flowery language. God isn’t swayed by arguments or by length or by skill in prayer.
The word “Our” gives the prayer a communal character. Christians do not pray only for themselves but bring before God the needs of families, friends, churches, communities, and the world. The address “Father” expresses a relationship of trust, while “in heaven” directs attention to God’s holiness and authority.
“Hallowed be your name”
The first request is that God’s name be honored as holy. Prayer begins not with the desire to control circumstances but with reverence for God. To hallow God’s name is to ask that his character, goodness, and glory be recognized in the lives of individuals and throughout the world.
“Your kingdom come”
This petition asks for God’s reign to be made evident. It is a prayer for a world shaped by justice, mercy, peace, truth, and holiness rather than by sin, violence, oppression, and selfishness.
“Your will be done, on earth as in heaven”
This request expresses submission to God and a desire for human life to reflect the order of heaven. Christians pray not only for their own plans to succeed but also for the wisdom and humility to seek what God wills.
“Give us today our daily bread”
This petition brings ordinary needs before God. It recognizes human dependence on God for food, shelter, strength, work, health, and the necessities of life. The request is daily and direct, teaching trust one day at a time.
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”
The prayer joins receiving forgiveness with extending forgiveness. Christians confess their own wrongdoings and ask for mercy while accepting the responsibility to release resentment and forgive those who have harmed them.
“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”
This is a prayer for protection and moral strength. It asks God to preserve his people in times of testing, guard them from destructive choices, and deliver them from evil.
“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours”
This final sentence is the doxology, an ending that gives or offers glory to God. It returns the prayer to God’s kingdom, power, and glory and ends with confidence in his lasting sovereignty.
Why Christians pray the Lord’s Prayer
At the heart of our prayers will be words that Jesus himself taught us. It is simple enough to be memorised by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer.
“The Lord’s Prayer is truly the summary of the whole gospel.” Since the Lord, after handing over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, “Ask and you will receive,” and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer-the Lord’s Prayer-is said first, as the foundation of further desires.
The heartbeat of every Christian should be to seek our Father any chance that we have. Yet, we miss a great opportunity when we hoard our prayer life to ourselves, never considering others who may be in need.
Praying for others
“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.”
There are those around us waiting for someone to simply say, “Can I pray for you?” Our friends need others who can pray and intercede for them. When we do so, we will find peace in taking our eyes off our own needs to care for another person.
Job provides a powerful example of this kind of selfless prayer. Job had lost everything. His children, his wife, his livestock, and more. Yet, in this moment, Job removes his attention from his own cares and frustrations. Instead, he prays for his friends. And we see that God responds to this act of selflessness with complete restoration.
May we be intentional about finding an opportunity to pray. Whether through a text message or in an old church parking lot, may we be bold enough to pray.
A prayer for loved ones
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
A prayer for family and friends
Have mercy, oh Lord, on all those whom you have associated with us in the bonds of friendship and family. Grant that they, with us, may be so perfectly conformed to your holy will that, being cleansed from all sin, we may be found worthy, by the inspiration of your love, to participate together in the blessedness of your heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for friends and those who are dear to us
We ask you to bless people everywhere, famous or unknown, rich or poor, so that they would all faithfully serve you and enjoy whatever you determine they need. We especially ask that you would arrange stability and peace in the affairs of this world through your providence. We ask this so that your church can joyfully serve you in all quietness.
We leave all we have with you, especially our friends and those who are dear to us. We desire that when we are dead and gone that they would similarly lift their souls to you. Teach those who come after us to praise, love, and obey you.
A prayer for family, friends, and the persecuted Church
I do not want to pray for myself only but for all people, as you have taught me. Shine the light of your gospel over the whole heart. Deliver those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake from the hands of those who hate them. Let the spirit of persecution be rooted out from the nations.
Maintain your gospel in its power and glory. Let the ministry of your word be accompanied by a demonstrable power of your Spirit so that the church on earth would be enlarged daily. Do so that the knowledge of you and of holiness would increase and abound among all people.
Look down in mercy on my dear family members and friends. Bless my parents, siblings, and family with all the gifts they need according to your providence and grace. Show your love to those who love me and enable me to forgive any who have hurt me. Let them repent of their sins, oh Lord, and partake of your forgiveness.
A prayer for the people of God
Dear Lord, remember this city where your people dwell and every other city and country with your faithful followers in them. Oh Lord, remember all who sail and those who travel by land, those who are sick or who are close to death, and those who are captives in need of freedom.
Remember, oh Lord, those who display good fruit, those who cultivate the soil of your holy church and do not neglect the poor. Grant that, in unity of voice and heart, we may glorify and praise your great and majestic name-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-both now and forevermore. Amen.
A prayer for the Church
We ask that you send the Holy Spirit as a holy offering to the holy church. As we assemble, give to all the saints the fullness of the Holy Spirit for the confirmation of true faith so that we may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom glory and honor to the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit in your holy church are yours now and forever! Amen.
Prayers for particular needs
A daily prayer for encouragement
Lord God, Today is a new day. You have blessed me to see the rising of the sun, and for that, I give you praise. Your Word says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I open my heart to receive Your steadfast love today.
Use me to be a vessel for Your glory. Whether on my job, running errands, or with loved ones, I pray for the strength and grace to move throughout my day, encouraged by Your Word and Your love for me, heavenly Father. Today’s gift of life is evidence that there is purpose in Your plan for me. Thank You for another day to live for You. Amen.
A prayer for encouragement when grieving
Heavenly Father, I come to You with a heavy heart as I grieve this loss or separation. As a believer, I find hope that Romans 8:35 tells me that neither tribulation nor distress can separate me from Your love, but I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy with the weight of grief right now.
My prayer for encouragement today is that You hold me near, Father. Send the comfort of the Holy Spirit to me right now, Lord. You are my hope, my peace, my joy, and my God. I will surrender my hurt and pain to You here and now. I trust that You will see me through this season, and that Your Word will bring light into my darkest days. Amen.
A prayer for encouragement when weary
Dear Lord, I come to You today with a weary spirit. Many things are not as I have planned, and I feel apart from You. Breathe fresh anointing over me, Father God. My prayer today is that You help me rest my soul in Your everlasting arms.
While I am weary in this season, I remind myself this shall pass. With You, Lord, I can press on into a new day. Fill me up with Your Holy Spirit, restore my vigor, and renew in me a refreshed spirit. I trust You to be my present help today, Lord. Amen.
A prayer for encouragement for parents
Father God, Thank You for the gift of my children. Your Word says in Psalm 127:3 that “children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” I thank You, God, for the blessing that my children bring to my life.
My prayer today is that I lean on You, Your Word, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as their earthly parent. I pray that I am equipped and refreshed daily to speak into my children according to Your will and Your way, Lord. Help me see each of my children as You see them, Father.
Allow my words to instruct, train, teach, and bless them. Wrap Your mighty hands around them, Lord-as a shield of protection from the wicked ways of the enemy. Give them the wisdom and discernment to seek You in all of their relationships and decisions. May the teachings of Your Word come alive in the hearts and minds of my children today and all the days of their lives. Amen.
A prayer for encouragement over a marriage
Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating the covenant of marriage-a covenant that I’ve made between You and my spouse. Today, I pray this prayer for encouragement over my marriage. Help my spouse and I to bond together in new and unique ways.
Refresh our vows daily to see and serve each other. “Do everything with love,” and I pray this Scripture washes over every aspect of my marriage. Pour Your grace over our union daily, Lord. In Your holy name, amen.
A prayer for encouragement when in need
Lord God, I come before You with a need-a need You already know of and a need I know You will see me through. As I’m waiting for the need to be fulfilled, allow me to keep my eyes on You, Father. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” My prayer over myself today, Lord, is that I will see that I lack for nothing because You are my shepherd.
I believe that You are making a way for me as I pray this prayer now, Father. I know You to be a waymaker, and I am secure in what You can do. May I remember that You made dry paths through bodies of water to bring Your people out of slavery, You brought water out of rocks to quench their thirst, and You rained bread from heaven to nourish their bodies.
I seek You for this, Lord. Help me to maintain my focus, stamina, and endurance to apply my faith and work to what You have for me. I trust in You alone, Lord. Amen.
Additional forms of prayer
Our Father in Catholic 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. Amen.
The Our Father in the Rosary
Start by making the sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then say 1 “Our Father”, 3 “Hail Mary’s” for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; and then 1 “Glory Be”:
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.
The Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries. While meditating on the Mysteries, recite for each Mystery: 1 “Our Father” 10 “Hail Mary’s” and 1 “Glory Be”. After each Mystery the “Fatima Prayer” is said. All together this makes up one decade.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Make the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Related biblical and liturgical terms
Gospel
Gospel means the good news of Jesus Christ; the records of Jesus's life and ministry in the first four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; or a reading from one of these four books.
Doxology
Doxology is the ending of a traditional hymn or prayer, giving or offering glory to God, normally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
New Testament
New Testament is the second part of the Bible which records Jesus' life, death and resurrection and the story of the early Church.
An engaged prayer life will indeed give life to your days. Prayers can also provide encouragement, support, hope, and light to those you encounter who are in different seasons of life. Remain steadfast in your prayers, my friend. Whether you pray these prayers for encouragement for yourself or someone else, the Lord God hears every word lifted.