Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is done in heaven. Please give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven our trespassers. Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is thy kingdom, thy power, and glory everlasting. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name I pray, amen.
Explanation of the Prayer:
Biblical Origins The prayer is recorded in two of the Gospels:
Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:1–4.
- In Matthew, it appears as part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus warns against “vain repetitions” and teaches a direct way to speak to God.
- In Luke, it is a direct response to a disciple’s request: “Lord, teach us to pray.”
A Line-by-Line Meaning Each petition in the prayer holds a specific spiritual priority:
- “Our Father who art in heaven”: Establishes a personal relationship with God as a loving Father while acknowledging His divine authority.
- “Hallowed be thy name”: A commitment to honor God’s name as holy and sacred.
- “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done”: A prayer for God’s reign and perfect plan to be realized on Earth.
- “Give us this day our daily bread”: A request for God to provide for our physical and spiritual needs one day at a time.
- “Forgive us our trespasses”: A plea for mercy, tied to our own willingness to forgive others.
- “Lead us not into temptation”: A request for protection from the trials and spiritual pitfalls of life.
Universal Significance For nearly two thousand years, this prayer has served as a unifying bridge across different cultures and languages. It is often the very first text translated into new languages, symbolizing a shared community of faith that transcends borders and history.