The Lord’s Prayer

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Lord's Prayer

1. Why is the Lord's Prayer considered a perfect prayer?
2. Why is the Lord's Prayer found in the Mass?
3. What is the importance of calling God our Father?
4. What does this relationship require of us?
5. Where is God's heaven?
6. What does it mean to "hallow"?
7. When will God's kingdom come?
8. What is God's will?
9. What do we pray for in asking for our daily bread?
10. What are trespasses?
11. Does God tempt us?
12. Will God protect us against the devil?
13. What does "amen" mean?

1. Why is the Lord's Prayer considered a perfect prayer?
The Lord's Prayer is considered a perfect prayer principally because it comes from Jesus himself. It serves as a model for all prayer because it offers worship and praise to the Father and accurately states our human needs. We can pray together or privately contemplate this perfect prayer for all occasions. (2761-2766)

2. Why is the Lord's Prayer found in the Mass?
The Lord's Prayer is appropriate in the Mass because it summarizes all the petitions and intentions of the Eucharistic liturgy. It also directs our attention to the Lord's return at the end of time. (2770-2772)

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes (1 Cor 11:26).

3. What is the importance of calling God our Father?
Because we are used to calling God our Father, it is easy to overlook the uniqueness of this privilege. Jesus has invited us to join in his intimate relationship with his "Abba." The awe and fear we naturally feel toward our Creator God is modified by the confidence and boldness of a loved child. (2777-2778)

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children (Rom 8:16).

4. What does this relationship require of us?
This relationship with God as Father requires of us a gratitude expressed in humility and a desire to live the new life offered in Christ. (2779-2785)

Whoever humbles himself like this child…is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18:4).

5. Where is God's heaven?
When we pray to "Our Father who art in heaven," we are addressing God in his transcendence. God is the Being from which everything else receives being; he is above all other beings in majesty and power. Heaven is not a place, but the presence of God. We will find our eternal home in him. (2794-2796)

Here we groan, because we long to put on our heavenly dwelling… (1 Cor 5:2).

6. What does it mean to "hallow"?
When we pray that God's name may be hallowed, we are praying to enter into his holy plan: that by our lives, work and prayers, his holiness may be recognized and glorified. (2807-2815)

Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy (Lev 11: 44).

7. When will God's kingdom come?
God's kingdom will come when the world as we know it has ended and we are all taken up into his eternal reign. We must try to make God the King of the here and now. (2816-2821)

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies so that you obey its desires…instead, offer yourselves to God… (Rom 6:12-13).

8. What is God's will?
God's will is that we keep the commandment of love toward him and all people, that all may be saved. (2822-2827)

He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to the purpose he displayed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time-to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on earth (Eph 1:9-10).

9. What do we pray for in asking for our daily bread?
When we pray for our daily bread we are asking for the food and care we need in this life, but also for the Eucharist, the heavenly Bread. (2828-2837)

Labor not for food that perishes, but for food that remains for life eternal… (Jn 6:27).

10. What are trespasses?
Trespasses are anything we do against another, that
is, our sins or offenses. In the Lord's Prayer we ask God
to forgive all that we have done wrong, in the same way
that we are forgiving toward others who wrong us. (2838-2845)

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other just as God forgave you in Christ (Eph 4:32).

11. Does God tempt us?
No, God does not tempt us, but may sometimes allow trials which lead to our spiritual growth. We ask him to deliver us from poor judgment, bad decisions and weakness in face of evil. (2846-2849)

The only temptations you have received are normal human ones. God is trustworthy and does not test us beyond our strength-along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so you will be able to endure it (1 Cor 10:13).

12. Will God protect us against the devil?
Yes, and he already has in the victory Jesus won on the cross. We must stay close to Jesus because the devil, the evil angel, is always looking for an opportunity to deceive us. (2850-2854)

I do not pray for you to take them out of the world, but for you to preserve them from the Evil One (Jn 17:15).

13. What does "amen" mean?
"Amen" means "I agree with that," "May it be as you have said." (2856)

Let it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38).

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