The Our Father (Full 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.
What Is the Our Father and Why Catholics Pray It
The Our Father, also known as the Lord’s Prayer, holds a central place in Catholic prayer because it comes directly from Jesus himself. In the Gospels, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, and he responds by giving them these words. For this reason, the Our Father is considered the foundation of Christian prayer and a model for how we are called to approach God.
When Catholics pray the Our Father, they are reminded that God is not distant or abstract, but a loving Father who desires a personal relationship with his children. The opening words invite us into a posture of trust and reverence, acknowledging God’s holiness while drawing close to him with confidence. Each line of the prayer expresses a deep truth of the Christian life: surrender to God’s will, dependence on daily provision, the call to forgive as we have been forgiven, and the need for God’s protection from sin and evil.
The Our Father is prayed in many settings throughout Catholic life. It is part of the Mass, included in the Rosary, and often used in daily personal prayer. Because it is so familiar, it can be easy to recite the words without reflection. Taking time to pray the Our Father slowly and thoughtfully can transform it from a routine prayer into a meaningful encounter with God’s presence and mercy. Over time, this simple prayer can shape the way Catholics live, forgive others, and place their trust in God each day.
If you’d like to pray aloud along with a guided audio version of the Our Father, the video below offers a traditional Catholic recitation of this prayer spoken slowly and clearly. You can follow along as part of your personal prayer time or while reflecting on the meaning of each line.
