When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave them a model: short, simple and complete. Christians in every language still pray it together. Studying it line by line helps us pray it with understanding, not only from memory.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 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.
King James Version
Two movements
The prayer has two parts. The first three requests are about God: His name, His kingdom, His will. The next requests are about our needs: bread, forgiveness, protection. Jesus teaches us to begin with God before we speak about ourselves.
Line by line
- “Our Father”: we pray as children, and as a family — the word is “our”, not “my”.
- “Hallowed be thy name”: we ask that God be honoured as holy, in our lives first.
- “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done”: we want the world to be as God wants it, starting with our obedience.
- “Our daily bread”: we depend on God for what we need today.
- “Forgive us … as we forgive”: receiving forgiveness and giving it go together (see verses 14–15).
- “Deliver us from evil”: we ask God to keep us in temptation and in trials.
Questions for a small group
- Why do you think Jesus begins with God’s name and kingdom rather than our needs?
- What does “daily bread” mean for you this week?
- Is there someone you need to forgive before you pray this prayer again?
Praying it together in church
Put the prayer on two or three slides so everyone can pray at the same pace. In a multilingual church, each person can pray in their own language while the screen shows two translations. Read the whole Sermon on the Mount, chapters 5 to 7, in the online Bible.
