The Model Prayer (Known as: The Lord’s Prayer)
The Prayer Jesus Taught
When one of Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, Jesus responded with what many believers know today as The Lord’s Prayer. More accurately, it is often called The Model Prayer, because Jesus gave it as an example of how we should approach God in prayer.
This prayer teaches us to honor God, seek His will, depend on Him daily, ask for forgiveness, extend forgiveness to others, and seek His protection from temptation and evil.
Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) (The Lord’s Prayer) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11. Give us this day our daily bread, 12. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
You can also find The Lord’s Prayer in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 11:2-4 (ESV) (The Lord’s Prayer) And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3. Give us each day our daily bread, 4. and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that prayer is more than asking God for things. It begins with worship, centers on God’s will, acknowledges our daily dependence upon Him, calls us to forgive others, and seeks His guidance and protection.
Whether you are a new believer learning how to pray or a mature Christian seeking a deeper prayer life, this prayer remains one of the most powerful examples found in Scripture.
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”