Our Father

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.

Imagine if Jesus Christ himself were sitting next to us in our living rooms. We’d be flooded with questions and we would undoubtedly listen intently to everything he had to share with us. As a result, we would probably humbly and obediently comply with his every request and strictly follow his advice and counsel to us.

That scene has already played out. Not in our living rooms but a record exists of that very conversation: ” Lord, teach us how to pray” asks one of his disciples. Jesus answered the question very directly and taught us all preciely how to pray with the exact text of this seminal prayer. He says unequivocally, “This is how you are to pray.” Luke 11: 1-4; Matthew 6: 9-16.

Although referred to sometimes as “The Lord’s Prayer,” it is really OUR prayer. Jesus taught us how to pray- not only by example but also directly and unequivocally with the exact words. “Jesus always leads us to the Father, for as he rests in the Father’s bosom, he is continually turned toward him. He wants us to share in his intimacy with the Father, so that we can say with him: ‘Abba, Father.’ ” Apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, October 2002.