The Lord’s Prayer

Aspects of the Lord’s Prayer

A recognition of God as Father and Lord

Matthew 6:9 NRSV

“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

See also Mt 7:21; Mt 16:17; Lk 10:21; Eph 3:14–15

Matthew 7:21 NRSV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 16:17 NRSV

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.

Luke 10:21 NRSV

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Ephesians 3:14–15 NRSV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

A desire for God’s perfect will to be done

Matthew 6:10 NRSV

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

See also Mt 12:50; Mt 26:39; Mt 26:42; Ac 21:14; Col 1:9; Heb 10:9

Matthew 12:50 NRSV

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 26:39 NRSV

And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

Matthew 26:42 NRSV

Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Acts 21:14 NRSV

Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Colossians 1:9 NRSV

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Hebrews 10:9 NRSV

then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.

Asking for physical provision

Matthew 6:11 NRSV

Give us this day our daily bread.

See also Mt 6:31–32; Mt 7:9–11

Matthew 6:31–32 NRSV

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Matthew 7:9–11 NRSV

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Asking for forgiveness

Matthew 6:12 NRSV

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

See also Mt 6:14–15; Mt 18:23–35; Mk 11:25; Lk 23:34; Col 3:13; 1 Jn 1:9

Matthew 6:14–15 NRSV

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 NRSV

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

Luke 23:34 NRSV

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

Colossians 3:13 NRSV

Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1 John 1:9 NRSV

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Asking for spiritual protection

Matthew 6:13 NRSV

And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

See also 2 Co 1:10–11; Jud 24; Re 3:10

2 Corinthians 1:10–11 NRSV

He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Jude 24 NRSV

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing,

Revelation 3:10 NRSV

Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

The doxology

Mt 6:13 NIV footnote.