The current version of the Our Father, also known as the Lord's Prayer, is:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy 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.
The Lord's Prayer or the Our Father
The prayer is known by both "Lord's Prayer" and "Our Father." It is a central prayer in Christianity, taught by Jesus to his disciples. The prayer provides a model for how to approach God in prayer.
Components of the Prayer
Here's a breakdown of the components as outlined in the reference:
- Address: "Our Father, who art in heaven" - Recognizes God as a loving Father who dwells in heaven.
- Hallowing God's Name: "Hallowed be thy name" - Asks that God's name be treated as holy.
- Requesting God's Kingdom: "Thy kingdom come" - Prays for God's kingdom to be established on earth.
- Seeking God's Will: "Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven" - Expresses a desire for God's will to be fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven.
- Asking for Provision: "Give us this day our daily bread" - Asks for God's daily provision of what we need.
- Seeking Forgiveness: "And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us" - Asks for forgiveness of sins and a willingness to forgive others.
Key Elements
- Personal and Communal: The prayer includes both individual ("us") and communal ("our") aspects.
- Submission to God's Will: The phrase "Thy will be done" highlights the importance of submitting to God's plan.
- Forgiveness: The request for forgiveness of trespasses emphasizes the importance of both receiving forgiveness and offering it to others.
- Conciseness: Despite its depth, the prayer is relatively brief and easy to memorize.
The "New Lord's Prayer," as it's sometimes referred to in the reference, is actually the traditional and commonly used version of the Our Father.
