The Lord’s Prayer may be brief, but it is a powerful prayer many Christians have memorized. This topic is worth discussing since it can help Christians understand what Jesus taught through this prayer. Read on to find out what Our Father Which Art in Heaven means.
‘Our Father which art in heaven’ is the opening phrase of the Lord’s prayer as recorded in Matthew 6:9. In this verse, the bible mentions that we should address our prayers to God, who is our Father. By saying this phrase, Christians profess their belief in God, who is their heavenly Father. The phrase ‘Our Father’ also implies that God is near, while ‘which art in heaven’ speculates that he is far away. Through this prayer, Jesus was trying to teach that God is omnipresent and he can hear our prayers from anywhere. This concept is also discussed in other Bible verses like Isaiah 43:2 and Proverbs 15:3.
What does ‘Our Father Which Art in Heaven’ mean? How does the Lord’s Prayer differ in different bible translations? What does Jesus teach about the Lord’s Prayer? These are some of the questions that this article will cover. By the end of it, one can also discover where to find the Lord’s prayer in the bible.
What does Our Father Which Art in Heaven mean?
‘Our Father Which Art in Heaven’ is the first part of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount as outlined in Matthew 6:9. This phrase tells the disciples to whom they should address their prayers, the Heavenly Father.
In the Lord’s Prayer, the phrase ‘Our Father’ indicates that God is near to us, while the next phrase, ‘which art in heaven,’ suggests that Our Father is also far away. Christians believe that both concepts are true, as explained in Psalm 139:7-10. In these verses, David introduces the concept of omnipresence since he explains that God is not only in heaven but also everywhere. He says, Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
In the Lord’s Prayer, the bible states that God is not only our Father simply because he created us. He is the Father of those that have established a personal relationship with him, as explained in Romans 8: 14. This verse says, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
Though the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to address our prayers to God, Jesus was not giving a rule that only the Father can be addressed. Other passages in the bible teach us that we can also address Jesus or the Holy Spirit when we pray since they are equally God.
For instance, the book of Ephesians 1:3-4 shows an example of believers addressing their prayers to God the son. This verse says Blessed be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
How does the Lord’s Prayer differ in different bible translations?
The Lord’s Prayer appears differently in various Bible translations. For instance, the King James Version of Matthew 6:9-13 says, After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
On the other hand, the New International Version of Matthew 6:9-13 says. This, then, is how you should pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed by 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 also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Focusing on these two bible translations of Matthew 6:9-13, we can see they differ in that the King James Version says but deliver us from evil while the New International Version says but deliver us from the evil one. The two bible translations also differ in that the King James Version adds the last part, ‘For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen’, while the New International Version of this verse leaves out this phrase.
The Lord’s Prayer, as recorded in Luke 11:2-4 also differs in different Bible Translations. For example, the King James Version of this verse says. And he said unto them, when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
On the other hand, The New International version of Luke 11:2-4 says, He said to them, when you pray, say. Father hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
Many people find the New International version of Luke 11:2-4 easier to understand than the King James Version.
What does Jesus teach about the Lord’s Prayer?
We mentioned earlier that the first part of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to address our prayer to our heavenly Father. Jesus also taught us to start praying by professing our religious belief in God and acknowledging him as our heavenly Father.
When Jesus added the phrase ‘Hallowed be your name’ in the prayer, he taught believers to worship God and praise him for who he is. This message is also emphasized in Psalm 100: 4-5, which says, Give thanks to him and praise his name, For the Lord is good, and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Jesus also teaches that when we pray, we should pray for God’s plan in our lives and not our own. This is what the phrase ‘your kingdom come, you will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ means. Even when Jesus was on the cross, he said something similar as explained in Luke 22:42. This verse says, Father, if you are willing take this cup from me, Yet not my will but yours be done.
The following phrase of the Lord’s Prayer says, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Through this phrase, Jesus teaches believers to pray for things they need. By saying this phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, Christians also recognize that all things come from God.
Jesus also teaches us to confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness through the phrase, ‘forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.’ He also teaches us that the only way God can forgive us is if we first forgive those who have wronged us.
The ending of the Lord’s Prayer also has a meaning. It says, ‘And Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ Through these words, Jesus teaches us to ask God for help when we get tempted and for protection from the devil’s attacks.
Where to find the Lord’s Prayer in the bible
The Gospel records two versions of the Lord’s Prayer. A longer version is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, while a shorter form is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Matthew 6:9-13 says, This is how you should pray, 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 debt as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 11:2-4 also records the Lord’s Prayer on the Sermon on the Mount. He said to them, “When you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. In both Gospels, the Lord’s Prayer guides how Christians should pray.
References
- Why should our prayers be addressed to “our father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9)?
- Lord’s prayer
- Aren’t We Supposed to Pray in Jesus’ Name?
- Is the Lord’s Prayer for Today?
- What is the Lord’s prayer, and should we pray it?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
