THE INTRODUCTION
Our Father who art in heaven.
Our Father in heaven.
What does this mean for us?
Here God encourages us to believe that he is truly our Father and we are his children. We therefore are to pray to him with complete confidence just as children speak to their loving father.
THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be thy name.
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean?
God's name certainly is holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that we may keep it holy.
When does this happen?
God's name is hallowed whenever his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we as children of God live in harmony with it. Help us to do this, heavenly Father! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to the Word of God dishonors God's name among us. Keep us from doing this, heavenly Father!
THE SECOND PETITION
Thy kingdom come.
Your kingdom come.
What does this mean?
God's kingdom comes indeed without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer that it may come also to us.
When does this happen?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven forever.
THE THIRD PETITION
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is surely done without our prayer but we ask in this prayer that it may be done also among us.
When does this happen?
God's will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent us from keeping his name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And his will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his Word as long as we live. This is gracious and good will.
| THE FOURTH PETITION
Give us this day our daily bread.
Give us today our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in this prayer that he will help us to realize this and to receive our daily brad with thanks.
What is meant by 'daily bread'?
Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors.
THE FIFTH PETITION
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
What does this mean?
We ask in this prayer that our Father in heaven would not hold our sins against us and because of them refuse to hear our prayer. And we pray that he would give us everything by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. So we on our part will heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.
THE SIXTH PETITION
And lead us not into temptation.
Save us from the time of trial.
What does this mean?
God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins. And we pray that even though we are so tempted we may still win the final victory.
THE SEVENTH PETITION
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
We ask in this inclusive prayer that our heavenly Father would save us from every evil to body and soul, and at our last hour would mercifully take us from the troubles of this world to himself in heaven.
THE DOXOLOGY
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
What does this mean?
Amen means Yes, it shall be so. We say Amen because we are certain that such petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by him. For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us.
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