Pater Noster

The prayer Jesus taught His disciples (Matthew 6:9–13).

The Our Father, or Lord’s Prayer, is the prayer Jesus himself taught his disciples when they asked him how to pray. It is the model of all Christian prayer and the most widely known prayer in the world.

The Prayer

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.

About This Prayer

Jesus gave this prayer to his disciples as recorded in Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it ‘the summary of the whole gospel’ (CCC 2761). It is prayed at every Mass and is the backbone of Catholic daily prayer.