Our Father Prayer: Full Text, Meaning and Catholic Guide
The Our Father, also called the Lord's Prayer, is the prayer Jesus himself taught. It is the model of every Christian prayer and the heart of Catholic worship.
The Our Father (Lord's Prayer) is the prayer Christ taught his disciples in Matthew 6 — the model for all Christian prayer. Catholics pray it at every Mass, in the Rosary, and daily; each petition (hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, forgive us, lead us not into temptation) shapes Catholic spirituality.
The Our Father Prayer Full 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.
Catholics pray the Our Father at every Mass, in the Rosary, in the Liturgy of the Hours, and in daily personal prayer. It is called "the Lord's Prayer" because the Lord Jesus gave it to his disciples.
Where Is the Our Father in the Bible?
The Our Father appears in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. In Matthew, Jesus teaches it during the Sermon on the Mount. In Luke, the disciples ask him, "Lord, teach us to pray."
The prayer is both simple and inexhaustible. It teaches us to approach God as Father, seek his glory, desire his kingdom, trust him for daily needs, forgive others, and ask for protection from sin and evil.
The Seven Petitions of the Our Father
- Hallowed be thy name: may God's name be honored as holy.
- Thy kingdom come: may God's reign grow in us and in the world.
- Thy will be done: may we obey God with trust.
- Give us this day our daily bread: provide what we need, above all the Eucharist.
- Forgive us our trespasses: pardon our sins.
- As we forgive: make us merciful toward others.
- Deliver us from evil: protect us from sin, temptation, and the evil one.
Why Catholics Say "Trespasses"
Different Christian traditions use "trespasses," "debts," or "sins." Catholics commonly use "trespasses" in liturgical and devotional English. The meaning is the same: we ask God to forgive our offenses and help us forgive those who have wronged us.
How to Pray the Our Father Slowly
Try praying one line at a time. Pause after "Our Father" and remember that God is not distant. Pause after "thy will be done" and surrender a concrete concern. Pause after "forgive us" and name where you need mercy.