If you grew up in a church going, Christian household, or maybe you just remember this from a random TV show.  You probably can recite at least part of the Lord's Prayer.  But do you actually understand it?  Let's study the Lord's Prayer together!

Get Your Bible Ready!  It is important to always double check what you're reading.   The Bible should be your primary source!

When Jesus is up on the mountain with His disciples, in Matthew chapter 5, He began to teach to the crowd.  There are many different subjects He began teaching about.  On of my favorites is when He taught His disciples and the crowd how to pray.  Jesus said, 

"This, then, is how you should pray: '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 our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.  Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.'  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

“Our Father who art in heaven…”

This opening line reminds us of where God the Father resides—in heaven. This is important because it reveals a key truth about the nature of God as understood in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity:

The Father dwells in heaven.

The Son (Jesus) came to earth to live among us, die for our sins, and rise again.

The Holy Spirit now dwells within believers, guiding and empowering us.

Together, this shows the unique roles of each person of the Trinity—three persons, yet one God. The presence of the Father in heaven, the Son on earth, and the Spirit within us beautifully demonstrates the unity and diversity of the Godhead.

“Hallowed be Thy name…”

The word "Hallowed" means “to make holy” or “to honor as holy.” When we say this in prayer, we are not only declaring that God's name is holy, but also committing ourselves to treat it with reverence.

Respecting God’s Name:

Using God’s name—whether it's God, Lord, Jesus, or Christ—should reflect honor, not casual or disrespectful speech. Taking the Lord’s name in vain (such as using it as a curse word) goes against this commandment and shows a lack of reverence.

As followers of Christ, we carry His name. If we identify ourselves as Christians, our words and actions should reflect respect for that holy name.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This line from the Lord’s Prayer expresses a deep desire for God’s reign and purpose to be fulfilled here on earth just as they are perfectly carried out in heaven.

• "Your kingdom come" refers to the coming of God's reign—ultimately fulfilled in the New Jerusalem, a future reality where God dwells fully with His people.

• "Your will be done" reminds us that God’s will is perfect and good, unlike our own limited desires. Praying this is an act of surrender, asking for God’s purposes—not ours—to be accomplished in the world.

While God’s will is perfectly done in heaven, this prayer asks that the same obedience, peace, and righteousness of heaven would be reflected here on earth. It’s a call for transformation—both globally and personally—as we seek to align with God’s plan and look forward to the full establishment of His kingdom.

“Give us today our daily bread.”

This petition from the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to rely on God for both our physical and spiritual needs.

• Physically, “daily bread” represents the food and resources we need to live each day. By asking for it, we acknowledge our dependence on God as our provider—everything we have, including food, ultimately comes from Him.

• Spiritually, it points to a deeper need: Jesus Himself, who is called “the bread of life” (John 6:35).  Just as physical bread sustains our bodies, Jesus nourishes our souls. This prayer is not only about asking for sustenance, but also seeking the presence and power of Christ in our daily lives.

By praying this, we learn to trust God daily, knowing He cares for both our body and spirit.

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

This line from the Lord’s Prayer appears in slightly different forms depending on the Bible translation. Some versions use the terms “debts” and “debtors,” while others say “trespasses” and “those who trespass against us.”

• Trespass, refers to committing a moral or ethical offense—violating a law or rule.

• Debt, in a biblical sense, often represents a moral or spiritual obligation or sin—something owed to God due to wrongdoing.

The prayer is a plea for divine forgiveness: asking God to pardon our offenses just as we forgive those who have wronged us. It also implies the release of our spiritual debt—something made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus.

However, the condition is clear: we must be willing to forgive others. By doing so, we reflect God's own mercy and demonstrate our understanding of grace. In essence, we are asking God to treat us with the same compassion and forgiveness that we extend to others.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Some versions say, "from evil".  

This part of the prayer is asking God to guide us away from situations where we might sin and to protect us from the influence of evil, often understood as Satan. It’s a request for God to help us avoid falling into temptation and to keep us safe from harm.

This verse also reminds us of God’s greater plan. Christians believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and free us from the power of evil. So, this prayer is about trusting God to help us live in a way that honors Him and to deliver us from the hold of sin.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

This passage teaches us that if we forgive others when they hurt us, God will forgive us too. Forgiveness is important because it shows love, just like how God loves and forgives us.

When we hold onto anger or refuse to forgive, it hardens our hearts and keeps us from feeling love. Jesus came to show us love and forgiveness, especially through His sacrifice on the cross. He forgave those who hurt Him, and He wants us to do the same.

Forgiving others helps us heal and frees us from negative feelings. It’s not always easy, but when we forgive, we become more like Jesus and live out the love and mercy He has shown us.

By reflecting on these petitions, we are reminded of our role in God's kingdom and the transformative power of prayer. The Lord's Prayer is not merely a set of words to recite but a model for living—a call to align our hearts with God's will, to trust in His provision, and to embody His love and forgiveness in our daily lives.

Let us approach this prayer with sincerity and openness, allowing it to shape our hearts and actions, drawing us closer to God and to one another.