The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most loved prayers in the Bible. Jesus taught it as a way for His followers to talk to God. It’s short, simple, and full of meaning.
Let’s explore where it’s found in Scripture and what it teaches us.
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6
The full version of the Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9–13. Jesus shared it during the Sermon on the Mount to teach people how to pray from the heart.
“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.”
— Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)
Jesus gives this prayer right after saying we shouldn’t pray to impress others:
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...”
— Matthew 6:6
The Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11
A second version of the Lord’s Prayer is in Luke 11:2–4. This time, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray.
“Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
— Luke 11:2–4 (KJV)
This shows that the prayer is a pattern, not a script. The heart behind the prayer matters more than the exact words.
Why There Are Two Versions
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Different moments | Matthew’s version comes from a sermon. Luke’s comes from a private moment. |
| Same meaning, different words | The words vary, but the message is the same. |
| Jesus taught often | Jesus likely taught this prayer more than once in different ways. |
Other Scriptures That Support the Lord’s Prayer
| Theme in the Prayer | Supporting Scripture |
|---|---|
| God as our Father | Romans 8:15 — “...ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” |
| Honoring God’s name | Psalm 111:9 — “Holy and reverend is his name.” |
| God’s kingdom on earth | Daniel 2:44 — “...the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed...” |
| Daily provision | Philippians 4:19 — “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches...” |
| Forgiveness | Ephesians 4:32 — “...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” |
| Avoiding temptation | 1 Corinthians 10:13 — “...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able...” |
| God’s glory and power | 1 Chronicles 29:11 — “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory...” |
What Each Line Teaches Us
| Line | What It Means | Related Verse |
|---|---|---|
| “Our Father in heaven” | We are part of God’s family | Galatians 4:6 |
| “Hallowed be your name” | Worship God with respect | Psalm 29:2 |
| “Your kingdom come” | Pray for God's rule on earth | Revelation 11:15 |
| “Your will be done...” | Trust God’s plan | Proverbs 3:5–6 |
| “Give us this day our daily bread” | Ask God for what we need today | Psalm 37:25 |
| “Forgive us our debts…” | Confess and forgive | Matthew 5:7 |
| “Lead us not into temptation…” | Ask for strength against sin | James 1:13–14 |
| “Yours is the kingdom…” | Praise God as King | Psalm 145:13 |
How to Use the Lord’s Prayer Today
- Pray it in the morning to start your day focused on God.
- Use it as a template—add your own words to each part.
- Teach it to kids to help them learn how to pray.
- Recite it during hard times as a reminder that God is in control.
