The Prayer Jesus Gave Us
Opening Prayer
Father in heaven,
You taught us how to pray.
Help us understand the words of the Our Father.
Teach us to mean what we say
when we pray it.
Amen.
Part One
Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray,
He did not give them a long speech.
He gave them a prayer.
He said:
“Thus therefore shall you pray:
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 them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.”
This prayer is simple,
but it contains everything.
It begins with God.
It ends with trust.
Think and Discuss
Why does the prayer begin with “Our Father” and not “My Father”?
What does it mean for God’s name to be “hallowed”?
Why do we ask for “daily bread” instead of everything at once?
Why is forgiveness part of this prayer?
Allow time for thoughtful answers.
Part Two
What the Prayer Teaches Us
The Our Father teaches us how to think.
First, it turns our attention to God:
His name
His kingdom
His will
Before we ask for anything,
we remember who He is.
Then we ask for what we need:
Daily bread — what is necessary
Forgiveness — mercy
Protection — strength
This prayer reminds us that:
We depend on God.
We are not alone.
We belong to a family — “Our” Father.
When we pray “Thy will be done,”
we are trusting that God’s plan is wiser than our own.
When we pray “Forgive us,”
we are admitting we need mercy.
This prayer forms humility, trust, and hope.
Guidance for Adults
Encourage children to slow down when praying the Our Father.
Even one line prayed thoughtfully can form the heart more deeply than rushing through it.
Part Three
Praying It With Meaning
Sometimes we say the Our Father quickly
without thinking about the words.
But each line matters.
We can pause at one line each day.
For example:
“Thy will be done” — where do I need to trust God today?
“Give us this day our daily bread” — what do I truly need?
“Forgive us” — whom do I need to forgive?
The Our Father is not only a prayer to say.
It is a way to live.
If we pray it slowly,
it begins to shape our choices.
It teaches us:
To trust
To forgive
To depend on God
To seek what truly lasts
The prayer Jesus gave us
is enough for every day of our lives.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly for a moment.
Choose one line of the Our Father.
Repeat it slowly in your heart.
Remain in silence together.
Practise This Week
Choose one:
• Pray the Our Father slowly each day, one line at a time.
• Pause at “Thy will be done” and think of one area to trust God.
• When worried, pray only: “Our Father.”
• Pray the Our Father before beginning schoolwork or a task.
Choose one and keep it steady.
Optional Response
Choose one:
Memory
Learn one line of the Our Father by heart and say it from memory each day.
Action
Stand together and pray the Our Father slowly,
leaving a short pause between each line.
Closing Prayer
Our Father,
Your name is holy.
Your will is good.
Give us what we truly need.
Forgive us and protect us.
Help us live as Your children each day.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 