The Lord's Prayer is the only prayer Christ Himself taught His disciples when they asked Him: «Lord, teach us to pray». For two thousand years it has been the fundamental prayer of all Christians — Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant alike.
The complete text of the Our Father
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.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The meaning of the Our Father, petition by petition
«Our Father» — not «my Father»: from its first word, the prayer places us in communion with all people. «Hallowed be Thy name» is praise: may Your name be holy in my life. «Thy kingdom come» — the longing for God's reign to come first into our heart. «Thy will be done» is the hardest and most liberating petition: to receive what God gives, not only what we ask.
«Our daily bread» means everyday nourishment — but also the bread of life, Christ. «Forgive... as we forgive» sets a hard condition: God's forgiveness flows through our forgiveness. «Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil» is the petition of protection — many say it in the evening, before sleep, just like Psalm 90.
When the Our Father is prayed
- In the morning, at the start of the day — see also the morning prayers;
- In the evening, before sleep, together with the evening prayers;
- Before meals, as a family;
- In the Orthodox Church, at every Divine Liturgy, before Communion;
- In moments of fear, trial or danger — said slowly, it brings immediate calm.
Why is it considered the most powerful prayer?
Because it was not given to us by a man, but by God Himself. The Holy Fathers say the Our Father contains the whole Gospel: praise, petition, forgiveness, deliverance. If you have time for only one prayer in a day, let it be this one.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day should it be said? There is no rule; tradition recommends morning and evening. Some say 3, 7 or 40 «Our Fathers» for a specific need, as a short rule.
«Deliver us» or «deliver us from the evil one»? The Romanian liturgical text keeps «but deliver us from evil» — the formulas differ slightly between editions, without changing the meaning.
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