Lord's Prayer for Kids
The Lord's Prayer for kids is a simplified way of speaking to God that preserves the meaning of the prayer Jesus gave His disciples while using words a young child can understand and repeat. In the Bible, the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, and He responded with this pattern in Matthew and Luke. For children, the older English phrasing can sound confusing, especially lines about hallowed names, trespasses, and daily bread. At Find A Prayer, we provide original, scripture-backed prayers written in plain language that parents, grandparents, and teachers can use around the kitchen table, before bedtime, or during Sunday school lessons.
Teaching the prayer in smaller, concrete ideas helps children see that prayer is conversation rather than performance. When children understand that each phrase asks God for something clear, such as daily care, help choosing kindness, or forgiveness when they make mistakes, the prayer becomes personal. Repeating a short, kid-sized version line by line allows even toddlers and early elementary students to join family prayer with genuine confidence.
A Simple Lord’s Prayer Paraphrase for Kids
Our Father in heaven, Your name is special and holy. May Your good ways happen here on earth, just like they happen in heaven. Give us the food and the help we need today. Forgive us for the wrong things we do, and help us forgive other people when they hurt us. Keep us far away from bad choices, and protect us from anything evil. You have all the power and all the glory forever and ever. Amen.
A Call and Response Prayer for Learning at Bedtime
Dear God, You are our Father in heaven. (Child repeats: Dear God, You are our Father in heaven.) Your name is holy and good. (Child repeats: Your name is holy and good.) Help us follow Your ways today. (Child repeats: Help us follow Your ways today.) Give us what we need right now. (Child repeats: Give us what we need right now.) Forgive us when we make mistakes. (Child repeats: Forgive us when we make mistakes.) Help us forgive our friends too. (Child repeats: Help us forgive our friends too.) Help us make good choices. (Child repeats: Help us make good choices.) Keep us safe from harm. (Child repeats: Keep us safe from harm.) Everything belongs to You forever. (Child repeats: Everything belongs to You forever.) Amen. (Child repeats: Amen.)
A One-Sentence Lord’s Prayer for Toddlers
Dear God in heaven, You are good, please give us what we need today, forgive our mistakes, and keep us safe with You. Amen.
A Prayer for Daily Needs and Thankfulness
Lord God, Jesus taught us to ask You for our daily bread each day. Thank You for the breakfast we eat, the clothes we wear, and the warm home we sleep in tonight. When we feel worried about what will happen tomorrow, remind our hearts that You take care of birds, flowers, and children every single day. Give us thankful hearts for the gifts You share right now. Help us share our snacks, toys, and kindness with anyone who needs help today. Amen.
A Prayer for Forgiving Others and Saying Sorry
Heavenly Father, You tell us to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others just as You forgive us. Lord, we say sorry for the unkind words we spoke, the times we did not share, and the times we chose our own way instead of listening. Thank You for washing away our sins and giving us fresh starts every morning. When our friends or brothers or sisters upset us today, soften our anger and help us choose gentle answers. Make our family a place of peace, patience, and love. Amen.
A Blessing for a Parent or Teacher to Speak Over a Child
May the Lord who taught us how to pray watch over you every step of this day. May you know that God is your caring Father who hears every word you speak to Him. May He give you bread for your body, joy for your spirit, and courage whenever tasks feel hard. May God guide your feet away from temptation and hold you safe inside His loving hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture to 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 this day 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 evil.— Matthew 6:9-13
When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.— Luke 11:2-4
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lord's Prayer, explained simply for kids?
The Lord's Prayer is the pattern for talking with God that Jesus taught His followers in the Bible when they asked Him how to pray. Instead of using complex language, Jesus gave a model that addresses God as a caring Father and covers everything a person needs for each day. For children, you can explain that the prayer has two main directions. The first half looks up toward God, praising His name and asking for His loving ways to rule our lives. The second half looks at our daily walk, asking God for food, for forgiveness, for help treating others kindly, and for safety from bad choices.
What is a simplified or kid-friendly version of the Lord's Prayer?
A kid-friendly version translates older terms into everyday words: "Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. May Your good kingdom come and Your will be done on earth just like heaven. Give us what we need today. Forgive us our wrongs, as we forgive people who hurt us. Keep us away from temptation, and rescue us from evil. Yours is the kingdom, power, and glory forever. Amen." This paraphrase keeps the complete biblical structure intact while using words that an early reader can pronounce and understand without confusion.
Why does the Lord's Prayer say trespasses in some versions and debts in others?
The words "trespasses," "debts," and "sins" come from different English translation traditions of the original Greek words in the Gospels. In Matthew 6:12, the word literally means debts, representing spiritual obligations or mistakes we owe God to set right, which Presbyterian and Reformed traditions maintain in English. The word "trespasses" comes from historic translations used commonly by Catholic and Anglican congregations, meaning to cross a forbidden line or do wrong against someone. In Luke 11:4, the text uses the direct word "sins." Both traditions point to the exact same truth: asking God to forgive our wrongdoing while committing to forgive the people who hurt us.
How can I teach my child the Lord's Prayer?
Teach the prayer one phrase at a time through daily repetition, using call-and-response during breakfast, driving in the car, or at bedtime. Start by reciting just the first phrase, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name," and have your child repeat it back to you until it feels familiar. Once that first line is comfortable, explain what it means in one simple sentence, such as reminding them that God is our loving Father and His name deserves honor. Add the second line only after the first line is known. Consistent daily practice in short sessions helps a child remember the words without feeling overwhelmed or bored.
Is the Lord's Prayer the same as the Our Father?
Yes, the Lord's Prayer and the Our Father are two names for the exact same prayer found in the Gospels. Catholics and many liturgical traditions refer to it as the Our Father, which translates its opening Latin title, Pater Noster. Most Protestant traditions refer to it as the Lord's Prayer because Jesus, our Lord, gave it to His disciples. While small wording variations exist among denominations, both names designate the prayer recorded in Matthew 6 and Luke 11.
What does each part of the Lord's Prayer mean, explained for a child?
The prayer breaks down into six clear parts that children can understand through concrete everyday examples. First, "hallowed be thy name" means we honor God because He is holy and good. Second, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done" means we want God's loving ways to happen in our home and school. Third, "give us this day our daily bread" means asking God for today's food, clothes, and care rather than worrying about the future. Fourth, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive" means saying sorry to God for our sins and letting go of grudges against friends. Fifth, "lead us not into temptation" asks God for help steering clear of bad decisions, like lying or taking things. Sixth, "deliver us from evil" asks God to shield us from danger and keep our hearts close to Him.
Where is the Lord's Prayer in the Bible?
The Lord's Prayer appears in two Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Matthew records the prayer during the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches a large crowd how to pray sincerely instead of showing off before others. Luke records a slightly shorter version given to the disciples after one follower specifically asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Reading both passages together shows families that Jesus wanted prayer to be simple, direct, and centered on trust in God.