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This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name… -Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Are you ever at a loss for what to pray, or how to pray? Jesus gives us a model and outline to follow in the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, -Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Praise Him in all His glory. Always praise Him!

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. -Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

Pray that His will, which we trust and know is higher than ours, is done.

Give us today our daily bread. -Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

We ask God’s provision in our lives, whatever and however He deems best for us.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. -Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

Forgiveness from the Lord is crucial. And He calls us to forgive as He forgave us. In some translations of this verse, the wording goes: “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. -Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

We ask God to keep us from harm, and that we want to follow His will and His way, not the path of temptation. In some translations, the verse ends, “deliver us from evil.”

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. -Matthew 6:13 (NASB)

This last part is known as a doxology, or a short hymn of praise affixed to the end of larger psalms and hymns. Depending on your translation, you may or may not have this last part, and its canonicity is debated. Either way, it is additional praise and glory to God!

So, fellow believer, from Jesus to His disciples–and to us–we have the Lord’s own prayer. May this breakdown of it help you when you come before His throne of grace!