Jesus taught his followers to pray
The Lord's Prayer comes from Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. He had just warned against prayer that performs for an audience or piles up empty words. God already knows what his children need, Jesus says, yet he invites them to ask him with trust (Matthew 6:5-8).
So this prayer is not a magic formula. Jesus gave it as a model, one that forms the heart as well as the words. Luke records a similar moment when a disciple simply asks Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-4). That is a good place to start too.
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.
It starts with God
Calling God "our Father" holds two truths together. God is personal and welcoming, not distant. Yet he is also in heaven, utterly holy and greater than anything we can manage. The word "our" matters as well. Prayer is never only about my private world. We come as part of God's family.
To ask that God's name be honoured is to desire that people see him as he truly is. Asking for his kingdom to come means longing for God's good rule, his justice, mercy, peace and healing, to be known in the world and in us. "Your will be done" is not giving up. It is a brave request to let God's wiser purposes shape our choices (Matthew 6:9-10).
It brings ordinary needs to God
"Daily bread" is wonderfully down to earth. Jesus teaches his followers to bring food, work, health, rent, family pressures and today's needs to their Father. We do not have to pretend we are self-sufficient. God cared for Israel one day at a time with manna in the wilderness, and this request has that same daily rhythm (Exodus 16:4).
Then comes forgiveness. We ask God to forgive our sins, and we commit ourselves to forgiving those who have wronged us. Jesus does not mean we earn God's forgiveness by being flawless forgivers. Rather, those who receive mercy are called to practise mercy. Holding tightly to resentment can close us off from the freedom God wants to give (Matthew 6:14-15).
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
It asks for protection and help
The final request recognises that temptation and evil are real. We ask God to guide us away from situations and desires that pull us towards sin, and to rescue us when we are vulnerable. God does not tempt people to do evil, James makes clear, but he gives wisdom and help when we ask (James 1:5; James 1:13-14).
Some Christians include the closing words about God's kingdom, power and glory when praying the Lord's Prayer, while others end with the request for deliverance. This difference reflects manuscript and church traditions. Either way, the prayer leaves us facing God with trust. You can pray its words slowly, pause over one line, or use each line in your own words. Keep it simple. Jesus' invitation is to come to your Father.