In today's world, people of faith need information in keeping with their busy lifestyles. This composition on the Lord's Prayer is written with that goal in mind. Jesus seemed to keep his messages short, and to the point, every word of His prayer is packed with meaning. So, together lets examine each phrase Jesus carefully used in this precise example of prayer. To search for understanding, and provide new incentive to pray.

Christian's know that prayer is essential to their life of faith. Building a relationship, through communication with God, is why we were created in the first place. Jesus, came to earth as the Father's messenger and He knew how important prayer would be in the life of Christians. So, He gave us this simple, yet powerful, example in the Lord's Prayer. I am always amazed at the depth of this prayer. It, covers every aspect of Christian life, from worship and evangelism, to daily needs, and forgiveness of sins. However, it is not a "sinner's prayer" but an example of effective prayer to be followed by all Christians. Many Christians know the Lord's prayer by heart. This writing is an attempt motivate Christian believers to an active prayer life, as you are drawn closer to God through prayer.

Try it! Find out how much God has in store for you!

*All the scripture references are available with a few scrolls down.*

Luke 11:1 (A Disciple speaking) ..... Lord, teach us to pray, .......

• Matthew 6:9 (Jesus speaking) 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.

1. 'Our Father' -
   Jesus was responding to His disciples request to be taught how to pray, they are believers and Jesus is showing them that they could have a closer relationship to God by using His name. The Apostle Paul used the term 'Abba Father' in his writings. Encouraging Christians in freedom to address God the Father, the same as a child would their own loving parent (with respect).

2. 'which art in heaven,' -
   Jesus, realized that human beings have different gods, in various cultures, to whom they would pray. The first six words in the Lord's Prayer, serve to focus our attention, on the correct One.

3. 'Hallowed be thy name.' -
   Immediately following correctly identifying God the Father. Jesus, tells His disciples to spend time acknowledging God with due reverence and honor. This would be the place to give reverent praise, to glorify and magnify, the Name of God the Father. Abraham, was recorded in the bible, as a friend of God. Also, King David danced, cried, sang, and wrote words of honor unto God. All of God's followers should do the same, and don't be afraid to do it for a good long time. As you nurture your relationship with God through prayer, He will become your friend too.

4. 'Thy kingdom come,' -
   What is God's kingdom? ....... it's really three things.
   I. The Majesty of Heaven:  Is, God the Father as King. Jesus God as His Prince (Acts 5:31) who is seated at the right hand of The Father (Heb.10:12). The third person of God is the Spirit of God who radiates out from Heaven and fills the heavens and the earth and Christians themselves, with God's presence.
   II. The Domain: God's domain is Heaven, the heavens (atmosphere) including our known universe, any others that may exist, and of course the Earth itself.
   III. The Subjects: God's obvious subjects would be Heaven's angelic creatures, and Christians. However, non-Christians along with the Devil and his crew of fallen angels are also subject to Him. The Father proved this when He sent Jesus to live on earth, to die (as our perfect sacrifice), and be raised again (by the power of God). Firstborn from among the dead. Sin and death had been Satan's most powerful weapons. Jesus neutralized both from the Cross and in his Resurrection.

5. 'Thy will be done in earth,' -
   (John 6:40) This is where Jesus would have his disciples petition t he Father on behalf of people we know. Pray for our leaders that His kingdom will influence their decisions, pray for yourself that his kingdom will come into your life in new and revealing ways, pray for loved ones, friends and don't forget enemies too. Pray that His Spirit may change hearts and influence lives.

6. 'as it is in heaven.' -
   Things go smoothly in Heaven. That's because everyone is in the same mindset. Being attentive to the next thing God will say, reveal, or order done. Jesus seems to suggest that things could work better here on earth as well, if His disciples would get more heavenly minded.

7. 'Give us this day' - 
   In this phrase and the next, Jesus informs His disciples that the Christian's prayer life is here and now, present tense, not some 'more convenient' time in the future or just when emergencies happen. It was Jesus' habit to pray often (Luke 6:12) and to pray with an earnest heart. He also seems to convey that its OK to be blunt about asking, Give us this day.... It's almost demanding, but that's the way Jesus put it.

8. 'our daily bread.' -
   However, the previous phrase and this one apply mainly to pressing necessities, like food, vital health care issues, and other life sustaining things. Also, this part of the prayer indicates Jesus wanted His disciples to pray daily for their sustenance. Since its presented with the rest of the prayer, it's safe to believe He wanted the whole pattern of the Lord's prayer, practiced daily as well. Also, since there's no more appropriate place in the Lord's prayer to ask for our less pressing needs to be met. It seems reasonable to believe this is the proper place to humbly petition The Father for them as well.

9. 'And forgive us our debts' -
   IMPORTANT! Notice the placement of this phrase within the Lord's prayer! Jesus chose His words very carefully. Notice that He tells them to.... Honor The Father, then ask for His kingdom to come, then pray that His will be done in earth as in Heaven, then to petition The Father for needs, and THEN ask for forgiveness. Jesus, placed this phrase at the end of the prayer for a reason. Disciples shouldn't let a guilty conscience, keep them from praying the whole Lord's prayer in proper order, as Jesus taught it! Only the following phrase is a condition.

10. 'as we forgive our debtors.' -
    Don't gloss over this phrase, Jesus, told His disciples we must pass forgiveness along. (Mark 11:25) Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christianity, it is why Jesus, came to earth in the first place. His perfect sacrifice of Love should motivate Christians to forgive others who have wronged us.

11. 'And lead us not into temptation,' -
    Is Jesus, suggesting here, that The Father, might lead disciples to sin? No way! The key word of this phrase is into. Jesus, is indicating that in doing The Father's will, we may find temptation close at hand. So, we need to pray in advance that, He will keep us from falling INTO that temptation. (Mark 14:37-38)

12. 'but deliver us from evil:' -
    Jesus, wanted His disciples to trust God to be their deliverer, when evil situations present themselves. (II Tim. 4:18)

13. 'For thine is the kingdom,' -
    See points 4, 5, & 6 above.

14. 'and the power,' -
    For a vivid example of God's power, just read: (Genesis 1) then take a trip out of the city, and look up at the sky, on a clear star filled night, that's God's doing.

15. 'and the glory,' -
    The pure holy light of God. (Rev. 21:23)

16. 'forever.' -
    That's a long time. (Rev. 10:5-6)

17. 'Amen.' -

Some may ask why is there no place for Thanksgiving in Jesus' Prayer? 
Jesus, left some aspects of prayer up to the individual. For Jesus, to teach His disciples a prayer of Thanksgiving, would defeat the purpose. Thanksgiving, comes freely from, a person's grateful heart.

Now, it’s time to thank you for reading ..... Lord, teach us to pray!

Scripture References: King James Version

(Luke 11:1) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
(Acts 5:31)
5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
(Heb.10:12)
10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
(John 6:40)
6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
(Luke 6:12)
6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God
(Mark 11:25)
11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses
(Mark 14:37-38)
14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
(II Tim. 4:18)
4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
(Genesis chapter 1)
1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
1:10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
1:17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
1:23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
(Rev. 21:23)
21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
(Rev. 10:5-6)
10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

© 2012-2023 All rights reserved. Dale C. Huber
Retired Optician & USAF Veteran