Lord's Prayer

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The Lord's Prayer (also known as the Our Father or the Pater Noster) is a central prayer in Christianity. According to the New Testament, it was taught by Jesus to his disciples. The prayer is found in two forms in the New Testament: a longer form within the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew and a shorter form in the Gospel of Luke.

Text

The text of the Lord's Prayer varies slightly between the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. The version from Matthew 6:9-13 is the most commonly recited in Christian liturgy:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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.

The version from Luke 11:2-4 is shorter:

Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.

Structure and Themes

The Lord's Prayer is structured into several petitions:

• **Address to God**: "Our Father in heaven"
• **Praise and Worship**: "Hallowed be your name"
• **Submission to God's Will**: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"
• **Provision**: "Give us today our daily bread"
• **Forgiveness**: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"
• **Guidance and Protection**: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one"

Usage in Christian Liturgy

The Lord's Prayer is used in various forms of Christian worship. It is a central part of the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church, the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant services. It is often recited in both public worship and private prayer.

Theological Significance

The Lord's Prayer is considered a model for Christian prayer. It encapsulates key elements of Christian theology, including the nature of God, the coming of God's kingdom, the importance of daily sustenance, the need for forgiveness, and the desire for spiritual guidance and protection.

Variations and Translations

The Lord's Prayer has been translated into many languages and adapted into various cultural contexts. Different Christian denominations may use slightly different versions of the prayer, reflecting theological and liturgical traditions.

Related Pages

• Christianity
• Jesus
• Gospel of Matthew
• Gospel of Luke
• Sermon on the Mount
• Mass (liturgy)
• Divine Liturgy
• Protestantism
• Roman Catholic Church
• Eastern Orthodox Church

See Also

• Prayer
• Christian liturgy
• New Testament
• Forgiveness