The Lord's Prayer: Our Father Which Art in Heaven (KJV)

by Ryan Hart | Updated on March 23, 2021 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this post you’ll learn the Lord’s Prayer (also known as the Our Father Prayer) and why it’s so powerful.

In fact:

This traditional prayer had a huge impact on my life when I was going through a tough time recently.

Ready to learn the Lord’s Prayer?

Let’s get started!

Read Next: Short Prayers for Every Occassion

Where is the Lord's Prayer Found in the Bible?

You may be familiar with this prayer because it appears in the books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible. More specifically, the Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.

Here is the King James Version of the prayer:

The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 Version (KJV)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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.

The Lord’s Prayer: Luke 11:2-4 Version (KJV)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

What is the Lord’s Prayer?

The Lord’s Prayer is a short yet powerful prayer. It is one of the best-known and most repeated Christian prayers. According to Christian scripture, the Lord’s Prayer was given by Jesus Christ to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9–13).

This classic piece of scripture can be recited as part of personal devotion or during religious services. It is also often the subject of academic study or discussion for its literary structure and content.

The prayer comprises six requests made to God by Jesus from Matthew 6:9 through 13 in the New Testament. Its existence is attested to by epigraphy and other ancient documents, but it was probably first recorded in the fourth century.

Each phrase of the prayer offers a glimpse into the heart of our heavenly Father and serves as an opportunity to embrace His touch, His protection, and His provision in our everyday life.

The start of the Lord’s Prayer always begins with “Our Father which art in heaven…”

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus teaches his disciples the correct way to pray. He says when you pray you should go into your room, closet, or private place, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. If you pray like this you will be rewarded.

Jesus reminds his disciples that you do not need to say much in your prayers. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. In other words, keep your prayers short and sweet.

Finally, Jesus explains that if you want your sins forgiven, you must forgive others for their sins (or trespasses).

Related: The Lord’s Prayer Explained Verse by Verse

Now It's Your Turn

So now that you’ve learned what the Lord’s Prayer is and why it’s so special, I’d like to hear from you.

When did you first learn the Lord’s Prayer?

What does the Lord’s Prayer mean to you?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.

About the Author:
Ryan Hart

Ryan Hart is a licensed insurance agent, writer, and former home designer. He is on a mission to help couples protect their homes in retirement with life insurance and annuities.

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[Comments are closed]
Comments:
Ryan Hart
What does the Lord’s Prayer mean to you? Please leave a comment and let me know!
Nancy Snowden
There is a scripture that says your word I have hid in my heart so I won't sin against thee I keep this close (the lord's prayer) and pray it daily and now I realize it's to get out of debt
M Miller
Now in my 80s, seems I have always said the Lord’s Prayer. Must have been taught to me my Grandmother who knelt down by her Bed with hands clasped under her chin and said the Lord’s Prayer.Spent a lot of time with my Grandmother since both Parents work in the Cotton Mills, she was a Godly Woman. My Father became a Minister.
Ryan Hart
Reading the Lord's Prayer is a beautiful way to remember your Grandmother. God bless.
George
I' have a a adiction an I forgot some of the words I was praying to our father that I don't lose my job smh please keep me in your prayers thank you
Ryan Hart
I will pray for you, George. God bless.
OKEFUNA GRACE
I LOVE THAT PAGE OF THE BIBLE THAT TALK ABOUT OUR LORDS PRAYER BECAUSE IT ALWAYS CHANGE MY LIFE WHEN EVER AM IN BAD OR CHALENGINF SITUATION
Ryan Hart
Yes, the Lord's Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God when you are in a challenging situation. God bless.
Yvonne winston
I have Learn that I father is our only true source of deliverance believing forgiveness love kindness to be able to function each and every day. Learned that I feel is true sauce deliverance believing forgiveness love Ines to be able to function each and every day By praying to him everyday all day in everything you do!!!
J Healan
The disciples were asking how to pray--Jesus gives them an outline, NOT a prayer to be repeated as a religious act of some kind. In fact, Jesus warned about praying in vain repetitions. Also, keep in mind that some of the "prayer" does not relate to the Church Age. The prayer says "you are forgiven ONLY as you forgive others." That is NOT salvation by grace we enjoy today taught by the Holy Spirit in Paul's epistles to the Church.
Peggy Davensport
Amen!
Rhonda
I did not see in the prayer or scriptures in Matthew or Luke that we are forgiven ONLY if we forgive. It stated as we forgive those , not if you give those. God forgives us in spite of. I believe the same is meant in that particular line in this passage.
melissa Nordell
In response to J Healan: The Word says that if we do not forgive others, our sins are not forgiven (pls read Mark 11:24-26) and this is Jesus talking in this Church age, NT age - it is not talking about grace
Marilyn S Singletary
I believe in prayer God answers my prayer and I feel so close to God he hear my cry it's a spiritual guidance for me at all times man should aways pray good or bad up or down I can't live without the lord.
Ryan Hart
Yes, God is good! Thank you for sharing your comment.
Hrankin
The lords prayer means to me is that when I don't know what to pray, and sometimes I don't. God gave me the words to say.
George Potter
The lowest point in my life came as a young adult in the throes of a nervous breakdown. As I became awake from a drug induced sleep, some clarity came to my trouble mind and the 23rd Psalm came into my mind, I repeated that Psalm which I had memorized as a young child, over and over again, I don't know maybe a hundred times. "The Lord is my shepherd.....from that day forward I regained the clarity of mind to resume living a life, I was able to return to college and finish my senior year and 60 years, two children and four grandchildren I am still flourishing.."The Lord is my shepherd still guides me.
Ryan Hart
Thank you for sharing your story, George. God bless.
Joan rice
Hello,my Grand parents taught this prayer in church when I was a little kid . I’m now a 72 year female praise Our Father in Heaven
Ryan Hart
Thank you for sharing your story! God bless.
Chas
I think I learned in school. I always used this prayer for protection when I was young. The Pope has decided to change it, I'm not too happy about that.
Ryan Hart
Yes, there has been much controversy over Pope Francis changing the Lord's Prayer. He suggested replacing the line “lead us not into temptation,” with “do not let us fall into temptation.”
Tawana Galberth
I don't remember the exact age I was when I learned this prayer maybe 3 or 4 I learned to pray with my Big mommie and mother I also was thaught to say grace at meal times the importance of prayer is something that my family has taught our children from birth I believe
Tameka
I forgot some of the words but my granny instilled prayer in me.
Ryan Hart
🙏 🙏 🙏
Lisa Beesley
I learned The Lords Prayer at a young age, growing up in church. I’m reading a book on healing currently and and to me it means so much more to me than it ever has in my life. Ever part of the prayer is essential but the part where it says “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” stands out to me as I’m going through a crippling disease currently. So I’m praying that God brings heaven to earth (for me) because in heaven their is no illness or disease.
Ryan Hart
I will keep you in my prayers, Lisa. Godspeed in your recovery.
I. Talps
I learned the Our Father Pray from my grandmother when I was a little girl and I'm 60 years old and I have 2 sons
Ryan Hart
🙏 🙏 🙏
Jim Sheppard
I was taught The Lord’s Prayer in school and Sunday school. It’s a simple prayer but yet so meaningful and powerful.
Ryan Hart
Yes, it is simple but very powerful! Thank you for sharing.
Angie ok
I have been looking for this prayer but this morning I have found it an yes I was really happy.i say the same prayer everyday it starts my day an I love it thanxs
Janie
I love saying the Lord’s Prayer everyday for several years now. Our Fathers Prayer helped me through some rough times in my life. I love reader our father prayer and the most important information you give to find it in the Bible. Thank You
Loretta Brown
The LORD'S prayer mean a lot to me. So much so that I pray a lot about different issues. I am in remission from breast cancer. The only problem I had going through this was convincing my family that I was fine. The LORD saw to me being surrounded by loving and caring people.
Catherine Moulton
My Granny thought me The Lord's Prayer when I was little. Every day I start off with The Lord's Prayer. And then I will say my Prayer and I end my Prayer In Jesus Holy Name Amen!
Diannah
The Lord’s Prayer learned in my very early childhood. Taught as a guide in prayer but also has 7 covenants promised to mankind. It covers everything we need guiding us through life until death.
Diannah
The Lord’s Prayer learned in my very early childhood. Taught as a guide in prayer but also has 7 covenants promised to mankind. It covers everything we need guiding us through life until death.
Ryan Hart
🙏 🙏 🙏
Michael Tulk
Hi. Thanks for taking the trouble to post this. I notice that your translation is "in earth as it is in heaven" when in some others it is "ON earth as it is in heaven". Since man was made from earth this discrepancy could be of vital significance bringing it home to us, first personally, before any mission is contemplated. What translation is yours? In Him.
Ryan Hart
Hi Michael, this is the King James Version (KJV) of the Lord's Prayer. Thanks for sharing your question.
Erik Mishoe
000 idk. It alot.
Audrey
I learned the Lord's Prayer at Sunday school when I was a child. Now an adult and a born again Christian, I end my daily prayers with the Lord Prayer. It gives me a strong Spritual connection with God and how he fits into my life and the world at large. Also, your explanation, has increased my understanding of the Lord's Prayer. Keep up the good work! Thank you. Audrey
Vee616@gmail.com
When my family and I went to school day school. And at home
Mayfield Small, Jr.
I really appreciate the explanation as you broke down The Lord's Prayer. I love the Lord and learning to love him more and more. I would like to have the Free Messianic Bible. I am saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. I am an Elder of the Church of God and I am looking for the Lord's return soon. I love the Jewish People and pray for the peace of Israel. Please and thank you for the Bible and other lessons as this one. God bless and keep you, Sincerely, in Christ our Lord, Mayfield W. Small, Jr. -- 301-932-9837
John
This is my favorite prayer and I wanna find a prayer similar to it to worship Jesus and one for the Holy Spirit in the sense this is to the Father any ideas?
J
Heavenly Father I ask the Holy Spirit to develop the fruit of the Spirit in me so that I can become more Christ-like in my character. I pray that I may maintain a close and intimate fellowship with You, so that I may be ready and willing to pray: Father not My will, but Yours, be done. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Michael Fitzpatrick
The Lord Prayer as Written in Matthew 6: 5- 15 Is the context and reason this Prayer was given. Verses 9-15 being the key. Most people leave out many of The Lord's Words. (It's Only His Words that give Life, not anything from the flesh). So when we pray we should acknowledge first whom we are talking or thinking about- OUR FATHER, and where He is Enthroned in Heaven whilst acknowledging His Preeminence Then we acknowledge "His Kingdom Come", His WILL be Done remembering Jesus own battle in the Garden over HIS own flesh when he had to pray 3 times to finally break through..Not My Will but YOUR WILL Be Done. When we ponder on what we are asking do we really know, HIS WILL is unquestionably best- always and forever. Regardless of whatever we see or know is happening around us. We must be clamouring always for His Will to be done in our own life so that we can be a light or salt to the needy. As regards forgiving; well that is not even worthy of debate. Because unless we forgive we can't be forgiven By Our Father. So we have to get over our stinking thinking and Repent of all our negative which is this earthly way...and don't forget like most do leaving out the Proclaimation at v 13. "For Thine is The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever, AMEN Rev.1:18 "I AM HE who liveth and was dead. Behold I AM AlIVE FOREVERMORE" Amen ..and "I have the Keys of Hades and of death". Amen.
Cindy Mansker
So...what IS the 100-year-old prayer, or is this just another gimmick?
Frank Sanchez
This one is my favorite of all of the Bible verses. I remember it Childhood Days going to church at the Catholic church in my hometown of Delano California
Lawrence Cennett
my every day walk with God
Mel
At Sunday school in Cyprus in 1962. I was about 6. The first version.
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