The Lord's Prayer
And Out of the mouths of babes; Ancient prayer techniques
This is how Jesus taught us to pray. The Lord’s Prayer (also called Our Father), Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, praises God, looks forward to a time when we the human family are no longer stubbornly selfish and do God’s will, it asks God for daily provision, for the forgiveness for our sins as we forgive all who have wronged us, and to protect us from all evil.
It covers everything except giving thanks to God for all God does to take care and guide us, even when we are unaware of his hand of protection.
An old friend recently told me she prays the Lord’s Prayer daily — it’s how Jesus said we should pray — and I’ve decided to do so as well. The Lord’s Prayer is important because it reminds us we must trust in God, and God will trust in us.
Let this powerful prayer guide you daily, bringing peace, strength, and connection with God—so we can all grow closer to His love and purpose.
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Matthew 6 - The Lord’s Prayer
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
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 debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
[*For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.]
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. —Matthew 6:1-15
*Catholicism added this last line, the doxology, and most Christian traditions aside from the Eastern Orthodox Church have kept it.
The disciples spent so much time with Jesus. They watched Him withdraw for long hours of prayer. They saw demons cast out and the dead raised. They must have been taken aback when He began simply with “Our Father.”
Human nature gravitates toward religious activity. We assume effort, display, and spiritual contortion earn merit. Yet the secret is far quieter: going into the closet, unseen, to meet with our Father. There is both humility and gentle humour in the Lord’s Prayer. Performative prayers on street corners are hollow. It is the quiet petition, offered in secret, that touches His heart and moves heaven and earth.
Beautifully put! Thanks for pointing this out. I easily forget how radical it was to address God as Abba (Aramaic for Dad or Daddy). Both Matthew and Luke use "Abba" in their Greek texts. God was supposed to be addressed formally as Lord or King, but Jesus emphasizes a close relationship with God is the goal. This is how Jesus' teachings differ from certain brands of Christianity and the other 2 largely effort-based monotheistic religions. It's human nature.