Where Is the Lord's Prayer in the Bible
The Lord's Prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13, in the Sermon on the Mount, and a shorter version is in Luke 11:2-4. Readers who open the New Testament looking for this passage find it placed in two distinct settings within the Gospels. In the Gospel of Matthew, it sits right in the middle of three chapters of teaching that run through Matthew chapters 5 to 7.
In the Gospel of Luke, it appears when a disciple approaches Jesus after watching Him pray and asks to be taught how to pray as well. Searching for where the Lord's Prayer is found in the Bible means looking specifically at those two Gospel accounts. The Gospels of Mark and John do not contain the prayer.
Matthew records the longer form that most people recognize from church services and recitations, while Luke records a shorter text with slight differences in phrasing. Matthew uses the word debts, while Luke uses the word sins. Knowing what chapter the Lord's Prayer is in helps readers study the surrounding verses and understand how Jesus instructed His followers to speak to God.
Matthew follows the prayer with two verses on forgiving others, while Luke introduces it after the explicit request recorded in Luke 11:1. Both passages give the same foundational pattern of approaching God as Father, asking for daily needs, seeking pardon, and requesting deliverance.
Where the Lord's Prayer Is: Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. This prayer is located in Matthew 6:9-13, inside the Sermon on the Mount which spans Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
The Parallel Version: Luke 11:2-4
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. This passage is located in Luke 11:2-4, given after a disciple asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and presents a shorter wording than Matthew.
A Prayer Honoring God's Holy Name
Father in heaven, Your name is holy. I come to You recognizing who You are and setting aside my distractions to honor Your presence today. Let my thoughts and my choices reflect reverence for Your kingdom and Your will in the places where I live and work. Teach me to place my plans beneath Your guidance, trusting that Your sovereign care covers every detail of the earth just as it rules in heaven. Keep my mind focused on Your holiness when worries arise. Give me patience to wait on Your direction and wisdom to obey what You have shown me. In all that I do, may Your name be praised and kept holy in my daily life. Amen.
A Prayer for Daily Needs
Lord, give me this day the bread and strength I need for the hours ahead. I bring You my practical concerns, my work, and the physical requirements of my household, trusting that You supply what is necessary. Help me to focus on today without carrying the heavy anxiety of tomorrow before it arrives. When resources seem small, remind me that You provide day by day. Keep me from greed and teach me contentment with what You provide. Teach me also to share generously with those around me who lack their basic daily necessities. Thank You for meeting my real needs step by step. Amen.
A Prayer for Forgiveness and Mercy
Father, forgive my debts and my sins, because I fall short and need Your mercy every single day. Clear away the weight of my wrongdoing, and soften my heart toward anyone who has hurt, offended, or wronged me. I know that You call me to release grudges and to forgive others just as You have shown mercy to me. Free me from bitterness, resentment, and the desire to hold debts over people. When anger rises, give me the grace to choose peace and extend the same patience I ask from You. Cleanse my heart and renew my spirit in kindness and truth. Amen.
A Prayer for Deliverance and Keeping from Evil
Lord, lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil throughout this day. Guard my steps when my own judgment is weak, and protect my thoughts from things that pull me away from what is right. You see the hazards and pressures around me that I cannot foresee. Grant me vigilance to recognize harmful paths and courage to turn away from them immediately. When trials press hard, provide a way through and preserve my faith. Stand beside me in difficult moments and shield my soul from spiritual harm. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Amen.
A One-Line Prayer from the Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, forgive our sins, and deliver us from evil. Amen.
Scripture to pray
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.— Matthew 6:9-13
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.— Luke 11:2-4
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.— Luke 11:1
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.— Matthew 6:14-15
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Lord's Prayer in the Bible?
The Lord's Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13, as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and in Luke 11:2-4. Matthew contains the longer, traditional wording most people recite, while Luke contains a shorter version. The prayer does not appear in Mark or John.
Which chapter and verse is the Lord's Prayer?
The primary chapter and verse reference is Matthew chapter 6, verses 9 through 13. The second parallel reference is Luke chapter 11, verses 2 through 4. Reading Matthew chapters 5 through 7 gives the full context of Jesus teaching on prayer.
Why is the Lord's Prayer different in Matthew and Luke?
Matthew and Luke record the prayer in two distinct settings. Matthew places it within the Sermon on the Mount, while Luke records it when a disciple asks Jesus to teach them to pray as recorded in Luke 11:1. Luke's version is shorter and uses the word sins where Matthew uses debts.
Is the Lord's Prayer in the Old Testament?
The Lord's Prayer is not in the Old Testament. It appears exclusively in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew and Luke, spoken directly by Jesus to His followers during His earthly ministry.
Why do some Bibles leave out 'for thine is the kingdom'?
The closing doxology appears in the King James Version of Matthew 6:13, but many modern translations omit it or set it apart. This happens because the earliest manuscripts used by modern translations do not contain those closing words. Different translations rely on different manuscript traditions.