The Lord’s prayer is the name of the prayer that occurs in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. The Matthew version is longer and also copied in the Didache 8:2. The Didache was written around 65 – 80 A.D. Though it is not Scripture it is a very early Christian document that con
tains insight into the early church’s practices and beliefs.
The Lord’s prayer was taught by Jesus in response to a question from one of his disciples. “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples,'” (Luke 11:1). The prayer is not a formula as though it needs to be recited – though reciting it is not prohibited. Instead, it appears to be a pattern of prayer. Notice the grouping of concepts.
- Acknowledgment that God is in heaven and that He is holy (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2).
- Acknowledgment that the will of God the Father is to be done on earth and heaven (Matt. 6:10).
- Petition to God to provide our needs (Matt. 6:11; Luke 11:3).
- Petition to God to forgive us even as we forgive (Matt. 6:12; Luke 11:4).
- Petition to God to deliver us from temptation (Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4)
If the Lord’s prayer was meant to be recited as a formula, then why is it not recorded several times throughout the New Testament in the early church. This is another reason why it is more probable that the Lord’s Prayer is a pattern of prayer, not a formula. Finally, Jesus said in Matthew 6:9, “Pray, then, in this way.” He did not say, “recite this prayer.”
Comparison of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke
The Lord’s prayer occurs in two places in the Bible, one in Matthew and one in Luke. Following is a table of the two texts side-by-side for comparison.
| Matthew 6:9-13 | Luke 11:2-4 |
| v. 9, “Our Father who is in heaven, | |
| v. 9, “Hallowed be Your name.” | v. 2, “Father, hallowed be Your name.” |
| v. 10, “Your kingdom come.” | v. 2, “Your kingdom come.” |
| v. 10, “Your will be done.” | |
| v. 10, “On earth as it is in heaven.” | |
| v. 11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” | v. 3, “Give us each day our daily bread.” |
| v. 12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” | v. 4, “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.“ |
| v. 13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” | v. 4, “And lead us not into temptation.” |
| v. 13, (This clause is not found in early manuscripts.) “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” |
