Learning to pray can feel intimidating at first. What should I say? Am I doing it right? Does God really hear me?

Jesus’ own disciples had the same questions. When they asked him to teach them to pray, he didn’t give them a lecture. He gave them a prayer.

It’s come to be known as The Lord’s Prayer or, among Catholic Christians, the Our Father. It remains one of the simplest and most powerful ways to begin praying.

This prayer isn’t meant to be a formula, but a pattern — a way of prayer that gives structure and depth to our often-scattered thoughts and desires. It’s not about impressing God or finding the perfect words, but about learning how to draw near to him with love, honesty and trust. Across the centuries, countless Christians have found it a well-worn path into the presence of God.

The Model Prayer

Here is how Jesus taught his followers to pray (Matthew 6:9–13):

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins,

as we also forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory.

Forever and ever, Amen

The Prayer as a Framework

The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just something to recite (though it’s fine if you do). It’s a framework, a simple guide to help you speak with God in a personal and honest way. You can pray through it slowly, line by line, or put it in your own words. You can use it to get back on track when you’re not sure what to say or your mind drifts.

The following is just one possible way to use the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern — one I find helpful — but it isn’t rigid. You’ll find your own rhythm. You could pray through it in fifteen minutes, or linger with it for an hour.

Our Father in heaven

(Start with who you’re praying to)

Prayer begins with relationship. You’re not speaking into the air. You’re addressing a loving Father who knows you, sees you, and delights in you. Begin by remembering who God is, and who you are to him.

He is our Father — not just yours alone — reminding you that prayer draws you into the family of faith across the world and across the centuries. And he is your Father in heaven, inviting you to lift your eyes, to take in his higher and deeper perspective rather than being consumed by earthly worries and concerns.

Hallowed be your name

(Worship and thanksgiving)

This is worship. Hallowed means holy, sacred, set apart.

Before asking for anything, pause to honour God for who he is. Worship him for his goodness, greatness, holiness, and love. Worship reorients the heart. It reminds you who it is you’re speaking to and the wonder of prayer.

And this prayer looks outward too, expressing your desire that others might come to see how good and beautiful God truly is.

Your kingdom come…

(Intercession)

Pray for God’s good and loving rule to come — in your own life, and in the people and situations that weigh on your heart. Where God’s kingdom comes, things are made right.

Ask him to rule in your thoughts, words, and deeds. And ask for his good rule to come in the lives of loved ones, in people you are aware are in need, and in situations going on  in our world.

…Your will be done

(Surrender and listening)

This is a prayer of surrender, an expression of trust. Praying like this helps you let go of control and align your heart with what God wants to do in you and through you.

It can be good to pause here, to listen quietly, and to ask, “Lord, is there anything you want to say to me today?”

Give us today our daily bread

(Petition and Scripture)

Here you bring your practical needs to God — for provision, help, and care. He cares about the details of your life. Nothing is too small or ordinary to bring before him.

But remember, as Jesus said, “people do not live by bread alone.” (Luke 4:4). This can, therefore, also be a moment to meditate on a verse or short passage of Scripture, something that nourishes your soul as daily bread for your spirit (watch out for a coming post on Praying the Bible).

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us

(Confession and release)

This is where we come clean and come free. We all fall short, but Jesus invites us to bring our failures into the light and receive his forgiveness. Name the sins you are aware or that he brings to your mind and simply ask him to forgive you and thank him that he does.

As we do, we’re also invited to extend that same mercy to others. You might name before God someone who has hurt you and pray blessing over them, as a quiet act of forgiveness that frees your heart.

Lead us not into temptation…

(Watchfulness)

Jesus told his disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41). The word temptation can also mean testing. God does not entice us to sin, but life inevitably brings tests, moments that can either strengthen faith or lead us astray.

Here we ask God not to let us be overwhelmed. To not face trials beyond what we can bear. It’s a prayer for strength and discernment, to stand firm and not to give way to sin.

…But deliver us from the evil one

(Spiritual warfare)

The Christian life is lived in a war zone. There is an enemy of the soul who seeks to deceive and destroy. Here we ask for God’s protection — for wisdom, courage, and steadfastness to resist evil.

We are not alone in the struggle. God is with us, guarding and guiding us as we walk in his light. This is a prayer of determination and trust: Keep me close, Lord. Deliver me from all that would pull me away from you.

Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory

(Praise)

This line was added later to the prayer Jesus gave, but it has been used by Christians for many centuries. It’s a fitting way to end, lifting our hearts and minds to God once more in joyful praise.

Here we affirm that everything begins and ends with him: his kingdom, his power, his glory. We’re saying again that we want his ways and his will to shape our lives, that we need his strength, and that all honour belongs to him.

Taking It With You

It helps to set aside a regular time for this kind of prayer, ideally near the beginning of the day. But the beauty of the Lord’s Prayer is that you can carry it with you.

You can quietly recite it as you walk, pause with it at midday, or whisper it before you sleep.  Just reciting it, mindful of the things you have  prayed earlier, can help, and ‘Our Father’ is always listening.

For Reflection and Discussion

1. What stands out to you most in the Lord’s Prayer? Is there a line or phrase that feels especially meaningful or comforting to you?
2. What does it mean to you to call God “our Father”? How does that change the way you think about talking with him?
3. Which part of this prayer feels easiest for you to pray — and which part feels more difficult or unfamiliar? What might help you grow more comfortable with it?

Putting It Into Practice

1. Pray the Lord’s Prayer every day this week. Say it slowly, thinking about what each line means. Use your own words after each phrase if you like.
2. Choose one line to focus on. For example, you might spend a few days just thinking about “Give us today our daily bread,” and talk to God about your daily needs.
3. Talk to God during the day. You don’t have to wait for a special time — you can whisper a short line from the prayer anytime. “Our Father…” or “Your will be done…” can become a simple way to reconnect with him.

More from the Bible

Read Luke 11:1–13 — This is Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, followed by Jesus’ story about the friend at midnight. Note down what you learn from it.

Remember This:

“It is called the Lord’s Prayer because it was taught by the Lord, but it could just as well be called the Disciples’ Prayer, because it is meant to shape the way we live and pray.” (N. T. Wright)

Recommended Resources:

The Prayer Course – video course based around the Lord’s Prayer from the worldwide prayer movement, 24-7 Prayer

Pete Greig, How To Pray – a simple beginners’ guide to prayer based around the Lord’s Prayer

The Bible Project has an interesting video introduction to The Lord’s Prayer that puts it within the context of God’s purpose revealed in the Bible.

Tom Wright, The Lord and His Prayer – a deeper look at the Lord’s Prayer from a leading Bible scholar

Tim Chester, The Lord’s Prayer: Talking to the Father – a seven-session bible study on the Lord’s Prayer

Kevin De Young, The Lord’s Prayer – a concise, accessible and inspiring guide