Christian prayer
The Lord's Prayer (Our Father)
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), with the original text and its meaning.
- 5 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
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.
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Line by line: what it means
- 9
Οὕτως οὖν προσεύχεσθε ὑμεῖς· Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
- 10
Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
- 11
Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον.
Give us this day our daily bread.
- 12
Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
- 13
Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν.
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.
When it is prayed
Many Christians say the Lord’s Prayer during church services and in daily private prayer. It is also prayed at morning or evening devotions, at funerals, and in times of need. In the tradition, it provides a pattern for prayer, bringing together praise, daily needs, forgiveness, and a plea for deliverance from evil.
Where it comes from
The Lord’s Prayer comes from the Bible, where the Gospels of Matthew and Luke record Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray. Their versions differ in wording and length. Christian traditions also vary in whether they end it with a closing expression of praise.
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Questions about The Lord's Prayer (Our Father)
Why is it called the Our Father?
“Our Father” comes from the opening words used in many versions of the prayer. “The Lord’s Prayer” refers to Jesus teaching it to his disciples.
How many verses does it have?
The prayer is presented here in 5 verses. The way it is divided and worded can differ between Christian traditions.
How long does it take to say?
It takes under a minute to recite, though people may say it more slowly when reflecting on its meaning.
What does the Lord’s Prayer mean?
It addresses God as Father and asks that God’s name be honored, God’s kingdom come, and God’s will be done. It also asks for daily bread, forgiveness as we forgive others, and help against temptation and evil.
Why do some versions have a different ending?
Some Christian traditions include a closing expression of praise beginning “For thine is the kingdom,” while others end with the plea for deliverance from evil. The difference reflects the prayer’s history in biblical manuscripts and Christian worship.
