A favorite routine I have with my children is to pray with them at night. After a brief snuggle and a time to reflect on the day, I tuck my children in with prayer. This bedtime ritual is comforting to the kids, signaling that it is time for their minds and bodies to sleep.

The kids and I often recite a bedtime prayer together. One night my son asked, “Mom, why do we always say the same prayer?” I told him that when we memorize a prayer, we can say it without much effort—this is especially helpful when we don’t exactly know what to pray.

He replied, “Like when you just know that two times five is ten, and you don’t have to count your fingers—you just know it?”

“Exactly,” I replied.

My son reminded me of the comfort that comes from saying familiar prayers. The Lord’s Prayer is probably the most familiar prayer for Christians. Reciting the Lord’s Prayer gives me comfort and a sense of connection with God.

The Lord’s Prayer is found in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13. In Matthew’s gospel, we read:

“This, then, 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 debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

When I use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide, I find that Jesus’ words can provide helpful direction, especially when my mind is full of distractions and worry.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name

The Lord’s Prayer begins with worship. Rather than starting with our list of wants and needs, we begin with praise and worship of our Perfect Parent who knows us better than we know ourselves, and has a plan for us. How does God’s hallowed name give you comfort and a sense of connection with him?

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

God gives us confidence that his perfect wisdom is enacted even when life has been turned upside down. God renews us when our tendency to want to control everything has left us worn out. God comforts us with the knowledge of his perfect plan when our hearts are aching. God “conform[s us] to the image of his Son,” Jesus, who prayed “not as I will, but as you will” even when he was facing certain death (Romans 8:29, Matthew 26:39). We are keenly aware that we’re weak because so much is clearly out of our control. We trust in God’s power, submit to his plan, and trust that he is listening.

Give us today our daily bread

Praying for our daily bread reminds me to pray for my needs. I need God’s constant presence in my life. I need his grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. I need the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sin and help me grow in my faith. I need assurance that God has a plan and an eternal home for me. In what areas is it difficult to trust in God? What fears and worries are overwhelming? When you pray for daily bread, trust that God hears your requests, and have a heart content with what he provides.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

The act of forgiving others who have caused pain can feel impossible. Thankfully, Scripture gives us guidance. The most powerful example of forgiveness is from Jesus Christ himself. While dying on the cross, he shouts out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). In the midst of his agonizing death, Jesus forgives. I am so grateful that God shares his perfect and unconditional forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ with us; he forgave us first, and now we are called to forgive others. Who in your life needs your forgiveness? Whose forgiveness do you need to seek out? What sins do you need to remember that Jesus has already forgiven?

Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one

In these two petitions, we ask God for help because we are constantly tempted to neglect our duties, be unfaithful, and give in to sin. We also face evil, or more literally the evil one. Satan is known as the great liar (Revelation 12:10). We ask God to deliver us from the evil one who lies to convince us we are unloved and unforgiven. Temptation is always in front of us, but we don’t need to be afraid of it (James 1:2-5). What temptations are you facing today? What lies are you holding onto? Ask for God’s deliverance.

For yours is the kingdom, and the glory, and the power forever. Amen.

The New International Version (NIV) translation does not include this last phrase, but many Christians carry it over from the King James Version (KJV) as the traditional conclusion of Jesus’ Prayer (see the text in 1 Chronicles 29:10-11 when King David received gifts for the temple). As the Lord’s Prayer begins with praise, we end it with praise.

Timothy Keller, in his book, Prayer, gives this helpful summary: “After descending into our needs, troubles, and limitations, we return to the trust of God’s complete sufficiency. Here our hearts can end with ‘tranquil repose’ in the remembrance that nothing can ever snatch away the kingdom, power, and glory from our heavenly, loving Father” (p. 117).

When you pray, may your heart be overwhelmed with praise and admiration of Father God. His kingdom, power, and glory rule in this world and your heart. We pray that you’ll use the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, pray with confidence, and come to God with your love, needs, worries, fears, and laments.