Jesus’ friends watched Him pray. Then they asked Him for one thing: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). He did — and what He taught them is for you too.
You don’t need fancy words
“When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words… your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8).
Prayer isn’t a performance. It’s a child talking to a Father.
Jesus said to go into your room and close the door when you pray (Matthew 6:6). Prayer isn’t about being seen or sounding holy. Honest is better than impressive. You can pray out loud or quietly, sitting, kneeling or walking — He hears it all.
The prayer He gave us
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9–13).
Short enough to say in under a minute. Deep enough for a lifetime.
Jesus didn’t give this as magic words. He gave it as a pattern — a shape for your own prayers. Here’s what each line means.
“Our Father in heaven”
You’re not talking to a stranger. Through Jesus, God becomes your Father, and He wants to hear from you. If an earthly father let you down, know this: this Father won’t.
“Hallowed be your name”
“Hallowed” means holy. Start by remembering who you’re talking to. He is bigger than whatever you’re carrying.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done”
This is the bravest line. You’re asking God to have His way — in the world and in you. Jesus prayed this way Himself, the night before the cross: “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
“Give us today our daily bread”
Bring Him your everyday needs — food, bills, a job, strength to get through. Nothing is too small. Notice the word today: He gives what you need one day at a time.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”
We all need forgiveness, and He gives it freely. Forgiven people learn to forgive — Jesus thought this mattered so much He came back to it right after the prayer (Matthew 6:14–15). If someone hurt you and you’re not ready yet, you can start by asking Him to help you get there.
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
Ask Him to keep you close and keep you safe. You’re not strong enough alone, and you don’t have to be. “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Try it in your own words
Here’s the same pattern in everyday words. Fill in the blanks with your own life:
“Father, You are good and You are holy. Have Your way in my life. Please give me what I need for today — ______. Forgive me for ______, and help me forgive ______. Keep me close and keep me safe. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
When you don’t have any words
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26).
Some days a sigh is a prayer.
If all you can say is “Jesus, help,” that is a real prayer. One worried father cried out to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) — and Jesus helped him.
Keep asking
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).
God is never tired of hearing from you.
Right after Jesus taught this prayer in Luke 11, He told a story about a friend knocking on a door at midnight. The point: keep coming. God always hears. He doesn’t always answer the way we hoped or when we hoped — but He gives what is good, and He gives Himself (Luke 11:13).
Want someone praying alongside you? Let us pray for you — we’ll lift up your request by name. Next on the walk: First place →