Our Father, who art in heaven

What does this mean?

With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1

To all who received Him, to those who believed on His name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18

There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. Galatians 3:26

Hallowed be thy Name

What does this mean?

God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.

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 the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. Exodus 20:7

May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, "My Name shall be there," so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. (Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer, 1 Kings 8:29-30)

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in (into) the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

You who brag about the Law, do you dishonor God by breaking the Law? As it is written: "God's Name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2:23-24

I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. John 17:6

And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:11

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

Thy kingdom come

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God's kingdom 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 lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

"The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Gospel." Mark 1:15

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." Luke 17:20-21

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." John 3:5

"My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingdom is not from the world. John 18:36

The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but or righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Read the Kingdom Parables - Matthew 13:1-52

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is God's will done?

God's will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.

My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40

God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4

It is God's will that you should be sanctified (made holy). 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. Romans 7:18

For where God's Word is preached, accepted or believed, and bearing fruit, there the blessed holy cross will not be absent either. Let no one imagine that a Christian will have peace. Rather, he will have to risk everything that he has on earth, his possessions, honor, house and home, wife and child, life and limb. Now, our flesh, the old Adam, finds this to be most painful. For its means that we must hold steady and suffer patiently while under attack, and that we must give up whatever is taken from us. (Large Catechism, p. 89)

Give us this day our daily bread

What does this mean?

God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "if a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

But [Jesus] answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." John 6:51

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 at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Psalm 130:3-4

If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. but if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive yours sins. Matthew 6:14-15

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)

And lead us not into temptation

What does this mean?

God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:13-14

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Matthew 18:7

The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. Galatians 5:17

If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Read Genesis 3:1-7 - the anatomy of temptation

But deliver us from evil

What does this mean?

We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -- He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your Word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2:29-30

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18

Amen

"yes"; "so shall it be"; "it is certain, established"; "that's the way it is"

What does this mean?

This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen, which means "yes, yes, it shall be so."

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him [Christ]. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Nowhere on earth, therefore, can a nobler prayer be found than the Lord's Prayer, since it gives such splendid testimony that God delights in hearing us pray. We should not wish to trade this assurance for all the world's riches. (Large Catechism, 82)

Praying the Catechism

Not only is the Our Father to be prayed as a prayer, it is the framework of Christian prayer in general. Each petition of the Our Father can be used as a platform and individually along the lines of 1) instruction, 2) thanksgiving, 3) confession, and 4) prayer.

For example, a prayer on the first petition:

O gracious God and Father, your Name is greatly to be praised above all names. You have given us your Name in Holy Baptism, and have promised to hear our prayers and praises spoken in your Name. We confess that your Name has not always been hallowed on our lips. We have used it for evil, to boost ourselves and our reputations, to justify our lies and half-truths. We have not honored your Name in our words or our works. Still you are gracious. You forgive us in your Name and in your Name gather us as your people. You have sent your Son Jesus who perfectly reveals your Name to us and who keeps us in your Name by the Holy Spirit. For this we thank you. Teach us to confess your Name with our lips and our lives, that your holy Name may be proclaimed through us to the world. Defend us from false teaching and unholy living. Keep us in your Name, for Jesus' sake. Amen.