“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the “Model Prayer,” was given by Jesus Christ during His Sermon on the Mount. It serves as both a guide and a deeply spiritual pattern for how we should approach our heavenly Father. Let’s take a closer look at each verse to discover the rich meaning and instruction contained within.
Matthew 6:9 – “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Jesus begins by teaching us who we are addressing—Our Father. This is not a distant, impersonal deity, but a loving and caring Father who dwells in heaven. The phrase “which art in heaven” reminds us of God’s majesty, sovereignty, and holiness.
“Hallowed be thy name” is a declaration of reverence. Hallowed means sacred or set apart. We are not only to call on God, but to do so with deep respect, recognizing His holiness and honoring His name above all.
Matthew 6:10 – “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
This verse expresses a desire for God’s reign to be established in our lives and throughout the earth. When we pray “Thy kingdom come,” we are asking for God’s rule of righteousness, peace, and justice to manifest here as it does in heaven.
“Thy will be done” is a surrendering of our personal desires in favor of God’s perfect will. Just as there is complete obedience in heaven, so we seek to live in that same obedience here on earth.
Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread.”
This simple request teaches us to depend on God daily. The phrase “daily bread” symbolizes not just food, but all our basic needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Just as Israel gathered manna each day in the wilderness, we must trust God one day at a time for His provision.
Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Here, we are reminded of our need for forgiveness. Sin creates a debt we cannot pay on our own, but God, through Jesus Christ, offers mercy. However, there is a condition—we must be willing to extend the same forgiveness to others. This is a powerful reminder that grace received must also be grace given.
Matthew 6:13 – “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
This final verse is a plea for spiritual protection. We ask God to guide us away from paths of temptation and to rescue us from the grip of the evil one. It is a recognition of our weakness and our utter dependence on God for strength and victory over sin.
The doxology—“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”—is a fitting close. It is a declaration of God’s eternal authority, power, and majesty. It shifts our focus from our needs back to God’s greatness.
Conclusion
The Lord’s Prayer is not just a script to recite; it’s a divine framework for communion with God. It aligns our hearts with His will, reminds us of our daily dependence on Him, and teaches us how to walk in humility, forgiveness, and worship.
May we not only pray these words but live them out daily, honoring our Father who is in heaven.
Amen.