What is the Lord’s Prayer and what does it mean?
You may have said it a hundred times, in church, at a funeral, as a child at bedtime. But have you ever slowed down to hear what you’re praying?
The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him how to pray (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:1–4). It isn’t only words to repeat; it is a pattern for every prayer: start with who God is, ask for His will, bring your daily needs, ask for and give forgiveness, and ask for protection. It is Jesus showing you how to talk to your Father.
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“Lord, teach us to pray”
The disciples had watched Jesus pray, often early in the morning and sometimes all night. One day, when He finished praying, one of them said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). They didn’t ask Him to teach them to preach or to do miracles. They wanted to pray the way He prayed. This was His answer.
Line by line
“Our Father in heaven”: You are talking to a Father who loves you, and who is over everything.
“Hallowed be Your name”: God, may You be honored as holy, in my life and everywhere.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”: Do what You want here, the way it’s done in heaven, starting with me.
“Give us this day our daily bread”: Provide what I need today. I trust You for tomorrow.
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”: Forgive my sins, and help me forgive the people who hurt me.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”: Keep me from sin and protect me from the enemy.
How to use it
Pray it slowly, line by line, and stop to add your own words after each part. One line a day for a week is a good way to start.
What the Bible says
- 01
The Lord’s Prayer.
“So then, this 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 this day 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. ’”
Matthew 6:9–13 - 02
Teach us to pray.
“One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” So Jesus told 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 also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’””
Luke 11:1–4 - 03
Not empty words.
“And 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. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:5–8 - 04
Forgive.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.”
Matthew 6:14–15 - 05
Abba, Father.
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””
Romans 8:15 - 06
Present your requests.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6–7
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Tonight, pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly, pausing after each line to say it in your own words.
Common questions
Why do some versions end with “for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”?
That ending is found in some later manuscripts and is a beautiful, biblical praise (1 Chronicles 29:11). Many churches pray it.
Is it wrong to just recite it?
Jesus warned against empty repetition (Matthew 6:7). Pray it from your heart, meaning every word.
Should I pray only the Lord’s Prayer?
It’s a model, not a limit. Use it as a pattern for your own words.
Pray with people, not alone.
Become’s prayer house walks you through prayer one step at a time, and the Watch is a prayer room that never closes. Start tonight.
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