What does The Lord's Prayer mean?
Let me give you a quick breakdown
The Lord’s Prayer feels like a bunch of words sometimes, if you don’t have a clear understanding of what is going on.
So, as simply as possible, I will explain the general intent of each section.
But please know that there is so much more that goes into The Lord’s Prayer!
Our Father in Heaven - God is like the best parent, and we are never truly praying alone.
May your name be kept holy - God is completely Other to us, holy, separate…yet still wants deep relationship with each of us.
May your Kingdom come soon - the Kingdom of God is coming, and we have a part to play in it.
May your will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven - God’s desire for us is so much better than anything we could ask for, it is perfect and complete and whole.
Give us today the food we need - learn to rely on God every day, not just when you need a genie in a bottle.
Forgive us our sins - ask God to forgive you, even though you know you have already been forgiven.
As we have forgiven those who have sinned against us - ask for help to forgive, and seek out those who you need to forgive.
Don’t let us give in to temptation - ask for God to help you persevere through your struggles and to help others as they struggle.
But rescue us from evil - ask for rescue, not protection, because struggle helps us grow, and consider how you can be a rescue from evil for others!
I hope this has helped you understand the broadstrokes of The Lord’s Prayer a little bit better! I’d love for you to check out Pray as well as the workbook and journal to help you explore these concepts even further!
My prayer for today
Our Father, thank you for the words of Jesus. Spirit, grant me insight into the ways you want us to interact with you. Help me grow my relationship with you! I want to know you more! Amen.
Remember
Spend some time on your own simply reflecting on each word and phrase of The Lord’s Prayer. Don’t seek out any big revelations. Just reflect and pray.