The Lord’s Prayer, petition by petition
The prayer Jesus teaches connects trust in God with daily needs, forgiveness and the lives of others.
Understand the context
Matthew places this prayer after teaching about simplicity and praying without display. Luke 11 gives a shorter form. The passage below follows the named Bible edition; wording used in church worship may differ. A biblical translation and a liturgical form should not be treated as identical.
A Christian reading
Our Father: the plural makes room for others even when we pray alone.
The holiness of God’s name: asking that God be honoured invites us to examine our conduct.
God’s kingdom and will: prayer reaches beyond getting what we want towards justice and faithfulness to God.
Daily bread: ordinary needs belong in prayer. Asking for our bread brings those who lack food into view.
Forgiveness: receiving mercy and refusing to nurture revenge belong together. Forgiving does not mean denying harm or removing necessary boundaries.
Trial and evil: the final request acknowledges our vulnerability and seeks God’s help. It does not promise a life without difficulty.
For reading and daily life
Read one petition slowly and connect it with a need, relationship or decision. You may pray the whole text without experiencing a special feeling. The Lord’s Prayer offers a shared direction, not a score for spiritual achievement.
A question to consider
Which petition turns you towards someone else today?
The biblical text — Matthew 6:9–13
English — World English Bible
9 Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
Read the passages in context
Personalized Bible reading plan
BibleMio editorial notes, prepared with AI assistance. These notes are not part of the biblical text.