THE LORD’S PRAYER
(King James Version)
As the head of the family should teach it in the simplest way to those in his household.
The Address
“Our Father, who art in heaven.”
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly encourages us to believe that He is our true Father and we are His true children, so that we may ask Him boldly and with complete confidence as dear children ask their dear father.
DAILY PRAYERS
The First Petition
“Hallowed be Thy name.”
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy all by itself, but we pray in this petition that we also keep it holy.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as children of God also live a holy life according to it. Help us do this, dear heavenly Father.
But whoever teaches and lives contrary to the Word of God dishonors God’s name among us. Keep us from doing this, heavenly Father.
The Second Petition
“Thy kingdom come.”
What does this mean?
God’s kingdom certainly comes all by itself, even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it also come to us.
How does the kingdom of God come?
God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and live a godly life here in time and hereafter in eternity.
The Third Petition
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
What does this mean?
God’s good and gracious will is certainly done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it be done among us also.
How is God’s will done?
God’s will is done when He breaks and stops every evil will and plan of those who do not want us to hallow His name or let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, of the world, and of our own flesh. His will is also done when He gives us strength and keeps us firm in His Word and in faith for as long as we live. This is God’s good and gracious will.
The Fourth Petition
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
What does this mean?
God gives daily bread without our asking, even to unbelievers, but we pray in this petition that He would teach us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?
“Daily bread” means everything we need for our bodily well-being. It includes food, drink, clothes, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money and goods, a godly husband or wife, godly children, godly workers, godly and faithful leaders, good government, good weather, peace, health, education, honor, faithful friends, trustworthy neighbors – and things like that.
The Fifth Petition
“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
What does this mean?
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look on our sins or deny our prayer because of them. We are not worthy of things for which we are asking, neither have we deserved them. However, we ask that our Father would by His grace give us what we ask; even though we sin often every day and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. We, too, will from our hearts gladly forgive and do good to all those who sin against us.
The Sixth Petition
“And lead us not into temptation.”
What does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that He would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our flesh do not deceive us or lead us into misbelief, hopelessness, or any other shameful or sinful acts; and, although we are tempted by them, we ask that we win in the end and keep the victory.
The Seventh Petition
“But deliver us from evil.”
What does this mean?
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would deliver us from every evil to body and soul, property and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a joyful end and graciously take us from this valley of sorrows to Himself in heaven.
The Doxology
“For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
What does “Amen” mean?
“Amen” means that I should be certain that these petitions are really heard by the Father in heaven; for He Himself has instructed us to pray in this way and promised that He will hear us. “Amen! amen!” that is, “Yes, indeed, it shall be so!”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(New King James Version)
“Our Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And do not lead us into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
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