What is the Lord's Prayer?

The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples as a model for how to pray. It is a prayer that emphasizes themes of praise, petition, and forgiveness.

Why do some denominations use different words in the Lord's Prayer?

Different denominations may use variations in wording due to differences in biblical translations and traditions. For example, some use 'debts' while others use 'trespasses' to refer to sins.

How is the Lord's Prayer used in Christian worship?

The Lord's Prayer is recited in churches worldwide during both communal and personal worship. It is a staple of Christian liturgy and is used in various religious services and ceremonies.

What does 'thy kingdom come' mean in the Lord's Prayer?

'Thy kingdom come' is a petition for God's reign to be established on earth, reflecting a desire for divine justice, peace, and righteousness to prevail in the world.

Why do Catholics and Protestants have different endings for the Lord's Prayer?

Catholics typically end the prayer with 'deliver us from evil,' while many Protestants add a doxology, 'For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.' This difference arises from variations in biblical manuscripts and liturgical traditions.

What is the significance of 'daily bread' in the Lord's Prayer?

'Daily bread' signifies a request for God to provide for our daily needs, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment.

How do different Christian traditions interpret the Lord's Prayer?

Different Christian traditions may emphasize various aspects of the Lord's Prayer, such as its call for forgiveness, reliance on God for daily needs, or the anticipation of God's kingdom. Despite these differences, the prayer remains a central and unifying element.

Why do some people say 'debts' and others say 'trespasses' in the Lord's Prayer?

The use of 'debts' or 'trespasses' depends on the translation and tradition. 'Debts' is more common in Protestant traditions, while 'trespasses' is often used in Catholic and Anglican traditions, reflecting different interpretations of the original Greek text.

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer traditions · Updated August 15, 2026

Overview

The Lord's Prayer has been translated into more than 1,500 languages, making it one of the most translated texts in history. Christians recite the prayer in worship services across cultures and languages. Known as the Our Father, the prayer models Christian prayer through its themes of praise, petition, and forgiveness. Believers around the world recite its brief text, which addresses God as Father, requests daily bread, and asks for forgiveness of sins.

The Lord's Prayer appears in the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke. According to these accounts, Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples as a guide for how to pray. Written originally in Koine Greek, the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean at the time, the prayer became a standard element of early Christian liturgy. The versions in Matthew and Luke differ slightly, showing diverse traditions within early Christianity. Both versions address God as Father, pray for the coming of God's kingdom, request daily sustenance, and ask for forgiveness. Its inclusion in the Bible meant that as Christianity spread, so too did the Lord's Prayer.

Today, the Lord's Prayer remains a regular part of Christian liturgy, recited in churches across the globe during both communal and personal worship. Nearly all Christian denominations accept and use the prayer, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions. As one of the most translated texts in history, the prayer reaches new audiences in countless linguistic and cultural contexts worldwide.

Common questions

What is the Lord's Prayer?: The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples as a model for how to pray. It is a prayer that emphasizes themes of praise, petition, and forgiveness.
Why do some denominations use different words in the Lord's Prayer?: Different denominations may use variations in wording due to differences in biblical translations and traditions. For example, some use 'debts' while others use 'trespasses' to refer to sins.
How is the Lord's Prayer used in Christian worship?: The Lord's Prayer is recited in churches worldwide during both communal and personal worship. It is a staple of Christian liturgy and is used in various religious services and ceremonies.
What language was the original Lord's Prayer written in?: The original Lord's Prayer was written in Koine Greek, the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean at the time of its composition.
What does 'thy kingdom come' mean in the Lord's Prayer?: 'Thy kingdom come' is a petition for God's reign to be established on earth, reflecting a desire for divine justice, peace, and righteousness to prevail in the world.
Why do Catholics and Protestants have different endings for the Lord's Prayer?: Catholics typically end the prayer with 'deliver us from evil,' while many Protestants add a doxology, 'For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.' This difference arises from variations in biblical manuscripts and liturgical traditions.
What is the significance of 'daily bread' in the Lord's Prayer?: 'Daily bread' signifies a request for God to provide for our daily needs, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment.
How do different Christian traditions interpret the Lord's Prayer?: Different Christian traditions may emphasize various aspects of the Lord's Prayer, such as its call for forgiveness, reliance on God for daily needs, or the anticipation of God's kingdom. Despite these differences, the prayer remains a central and unifying element.
Why do some people say 'debts' and others say 'trespasses' in the Lord's Prayer?: The use of 'debts' or 'trespasses' depends on the translation and tradition. 'Debts' is more common in Protestant traditions, while 'trespasses' is often used in Catholic and Anglican traditions, reflecting different interpretations of the original Greek text.