The Our Father

What does it mean?

Our Father

This line is to represent that the lord is our father and he is a part of our lives in the form of a father figure. It is also here to remind us that the lord is not simply a cold ruler but he is also a father to us.

Who art in heaven

This line is to show us that God’s presence is in heaven and to remind us that we are distanced from the Lord.

Hallowed be your name

This line is to show respect to the name and idea of the lord and to remind us that his name is respected among the community.

Your kingdom come,

This line is to show an invitation for the good of heaven to descend to Earth but it is also to remind that heaven is still better than earth and is a worthy reward to look forward to.

Your will be done,

This line is an invitation and a form of a promise inviting the lord to come upon the earth and perform his will and also to show that Christian’s will perform the lords will as well. It is to remind us that it is our wish as Christian’s for the Lord’s will to be done.

On earth as it is in heaven.

This is a request for the good traits of heaven to be placed upon the earth but also to remind us that heaven is different from earth.

Give us this day our daily bread,

This is a request for god to continue to allow us life on earth and continue to provide us with what is required for life, represented with the word “bread” although we are obviously asking for more than bread. This line is to remind us that the Lord is the supplier of our requirements in life.

and forgive us our trespasses

This is a request for the lord to forgive our sins and is also to remind us that the Lord is willing to forgive our sins.

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

This is a continuance of the previous line promising to god that as he forgives our sins we shall forgive others that sin against us. The word us is representing humans as a whole rather than just yourself. It is also to remind us that it is our duty to forgive those around us as the Lord forgives us.

and lead us not into temptation

This is a request to god to lead us away from evils and temptation in life and also to remind us that there is temptation in the world.

but deliver us from evil.

This is a continuance of the previous line requesting for god to show us the right path to follow and guide us in our life. This also shows that there is in fact evil in the world but it can be avoided.

Amen

This is a way of showing our thanks and devotion to god and finishing the prayer. It is here to show respect to the lord.