Begin with the prayer
The Our Father is the prayer Jesus himself gave his disciples. It teaches us what to ask for, what to desire, and how to stand before God as children.
If you only know one Christian prayer, this is the one to learn slowly. Its petitions move from God’s glory to the needs, sins, struggles, and hope of God’s people.
Prayer text
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.
How to pray with this guide
- What does this prayer teach? The Our Father teaches desire: God’s name, kingdom, will, daily bread, forgiveness, mercy, and deliverance.
- How can I pray it? Pray one petition each day instead of rushing through the whole prayer.
- What can I try this week? Choose the hardest petition for you and write why it is hard.
Why Catholics pray Our Father
Jesus himself teaches it as the pattern of Christian prayer. It trains desire: God’s name, kingdom, will, daily bread, forgiveness, mercy, and deliverance.
Scripture context
In Matthew 6:5–13, Jesus teaches the prayer while warning against prayer done for show and against piling up empty words. In Luke 11:1–4, the disciples first ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.” The versions are slightly different, but the same pattern remains: trust the Father, seek his kingdom, ask for what is needed, receive and give forgiveness, and depend on God in trial.
Petition by petition
Our Father, who art in heaven
Jesus gathers us into his own relationship with the Father. “Our” also keeps prayer from becoming private: we pray as members of one human family. “In heaven” does not mean God is far away; it reminds us that he is holy and greater than creation.
Hallowed be thy name
We ask that God’s name be treated as holy, beginning in us. This is not adding holiness to God. It is asking that our worship, speech, choices, and witness show who God truly is.
Thy kingdom come
We ask for God’s reign of truth, justice, mercy, and peace to grow now, and for Christ to bring it to fulfilment. This petition also asks us to live under that reign today.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
This is not passive resignation. We ask to love and obey the Father’s good will as Jesus does, especially when trust is difficult.
Give us this day our daily bread
We ask for today’s food and every genuine need, not anxious control of the future. Catholics also hear a Eucharistic depth here: Christ gives himself as the Bread of Life.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
We ask for mercy while opening our hearts to give mercy. Forgiveness does not call evil good or remove wise boundaries. It releases vengeance and asks God to heal what sin has damaged.
Lead us not into temptation
God does not tempt anyone to sin. We ask him not to let us enter or surrender to temptation, and to give us discernment and strength in testing.
But deliver us from evil
We ask rescue from sin, the Evil One, and every evil that threatens body or soul. The prayer ends in confidence that God, not evil, has the final word.
The doxology and its use at Mass
Many Christians add, “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” The Gospels give the prayer without this ending, but very early Christian liturgical use added a doxology, or short prayer of praise. At Mass in the Roman Rite, the priest first expands the final petition by asking for deliverance and peace. The people then respond together: “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.” It is therefore prayed at Mass, but not immediately after “deliver us from evil.”
How to pray without rushing
Choose one petition and stay with it. “Thy will be done” can become surrender. “Give us this day” can become trust. “Forgive us” can become mercy received and mercy offered. Familiar words become fresh when you connect them with a real person, fear, duty, sin, or hope.
Open the Scripture
Let the Scripture reference tune the prayer. Notice one word or scene that changes how you speak to God.
Catechism to consult
The Catechism reference helps show where this prayer sits inside Catholic life, worship, doctrine, and spiritual formation.
Try it this week
Choose one petition today. Write what it asks of God and what it asks of you.
Deeper resources and next steps
- Read Matthew 6:5-13 and notice how Jesus teaches prayer without show.
- Compare Luke 11:1-4, where the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray.
- Read How To Begin Prayer if you are building a daily habit.
- Use the Our Father at the end of family prayer or before a difficult conversation.
For families, children, and conversation
Teach one line at a time. At a meal, begin with ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ and thank God for ordinary provision.
A short prayer
Father, teach me to pray as Jesus teaches. Let your name, kingdom, will, mercy, and protection shape my heart. Amen.
#jesus #daily-prayer