Jesus Christ, God’s Own Son gave us a way to pray in line with His will. His close follower Matthew obviously heard and recalled those words, which he recorded in chapter 6, verses 9-13 of the Gospel of Matthew.
Since most of us are familiar with the King James Version of this Bible prayer, that’s the translation we’ll use here as we consider The Lord’s Prayer aka Our Father as an “outline” we can personalize each day. With that in mind, notice Jesus’ prelude to the prayer: i.e., “After this manner....”
“After this manner therefore pray ye:”
Include these spiritual truths as you pray.
Use your own words as the Holy Spirit leads you to consider and pray with these specific thoughts in mind and spirit.
Our Father which art in heaven....”
Acknowledge God as Father-Creator of earth.
Acknowledge God as all-seeing, omnipotent, and way above us!
“Hallowed be thy name.”
Dwell on the biblical names of God such as YHWH/ Yahweh/ Jehovah/ I AM or the Almighty God.
“Hallowed” means holy, so meditate on the holiness of God.
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Praise God for His perfect will, which comes from an all-seeing, all-loving perspective.
Pray for God’s reign on earth.
“Give us this day our daily bread.“
Praise God for nurturing us daily in body, mind, and spirit.
Thank God for His everyday provisions in your life.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.“
Other translations say “trespasses” or “sin,” but all are correct as all require us to receive and give forgiveness. Ask God to help you forgive anyone who has wronged you, stepped over a line, or still owes you a lot.
Thanks God for forgiving you. Praise Him for forgetting!
“And lead us not into temptation...”
Praise God for His ongoing desire for our good.
Thank God for always being The One to Trust.
“but deliver us from evil: “
Praise God for His persistent, insistent victory over evil.
Thank Him for promising that nothing can snatch us from His hand.
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.“
Praise God for His Kingdom of love, justice, and mercy.
Praise God for His almighty, triumphant power.
Glorify God’s Name.
“Amen.”
So be it. Let it be as you say.
This little word seals the agreement we just made with God in Jesus’ Name.
Isn’t it amazing? We can pray this one prayer every day, knowing we’re praying along with the Son of God as His Holy Spirit leads. And with that leading, the prayer becomes new each day.
For more actual prayers from the Bible, visit and, if led, please subscribe to the Bible Prayers blog. May God continually inspire and empower your prayer life in Christ.
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