The Lord’s Prayer in the Bible: Free Printable

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The Lord’s Prayer Old Testament

The Lord’s Prayer is found in the New Testament, there are some ties between the Lord’s Prayer and the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at where the Lord’s Prayer is found in the Bible, what it is, and some significant meanings behind this beautiful prayer.

Where is the Lord’s Prayer found in the Bible?

In the Bible, the Lord’s Prayer is found in the gospel of Matthew and the book of Luke, which are both books of the New Testament. In Matthew’s gospel, he describes this model prayer as being given by Jesus Christ, as instruction to Jesus’ disciples. In the book of Luke, one of Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. 

The Lord’s Prayer, or the New Testament prayer is found in Matthew chapter six. The chapter picks up with Jesus giving instructions to his disciples. 

It starts by instructing them to not do their good works publicly, or for earthly glory. He talks about if you do good works for the prayers of other men, that is your reward and there will be no additional reward from your father in heaven. 

Instead, he says that the right way to do good is to do it quietly so that you will be rewarded by God. Then Jesus turned his attention to the model prayer. 

He then gives instructions to the disciples and their prayer life, but starts off by commenting that they should not be “hypocrites” that basically do eloquent prayers, to get the attention of other people. 

Instead, Jesus instructs his disciples to go away and pray in a quiet place, or inner room to pray. He also instructs them not to repeat themselves as the hypocrites do. 

The short prayer that Jesus uses as a model prayer picks up in Bible verse nine of chapter 6. In the book of Luke, Jesus was praying, and when he stopped, one of his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. Let’s take a look at what the Lord’s Prayer actually says, that was given in response to the disciples’ question.

The Lord’s Prayer

Christian Prayer

It’s not a magic formula type of prayer that’s given by Jesus to his disciples. Instead, it is a simple prayer, that covers many different aspects of daily living for his disciples, and for us still today. 

Jewish law

The prayer that Jesus gave in the New Testament, would have had several common elements of Jewish prayers that the disciples were familiar with. These references would have come from the Jewish law and the Old Testament. Though some of them are common to the Jewish culture, there are some Old Testament ties that we can also recognize.

Instruction for the Early Church

In addition to having ties to the Old Testament Jewish life, the Lord’s Prayer given in the book of Matthew in the book of Luke also provides instruction to the early church. Jesus is pretty much saying that rather than being like the hypocrites who pray with vain repetitions on street corners, there is a much better approach. He then gives this model prayer as an example.

Christian Traditions

Christian traditions sometimes say that all you have to do is have a sincere heart, and when we do see this represented in the Lord’s Prayer model, that is not all there is to it. Let’s look at some of the Old Testament ties represented in this New Testament model prayer. 

Old Testament Ties

Biblical scholars have pointed out that there are several Old Testament ties to the Lord’s Prayer which is given in the New Testament. When you think about it in logical terms this makes sense. After all, Jesus was Jewish, and he was sent to the Jewish people, who would have still been living under the Old Testament law or the Torah.

Our Father in Heaven

The prayer starts off by addressing our Father who art in heaven. First, this reference is God as our heavenly Father. It is said that the word Jesus actually used here is “Abba” which is an endearing fatherly term. Starting off by addressing God as the Father who is located in heaven is an important part of the prayer because it shows that only has Jesus addressed his Heavenly Father but also how we are to address Him.

It’s also important to point out that Jesus was being very specific about whom this prayer was addressed to. It wasn’t just a random god, in fact, it was the God Creator of heaven and earth. This is an important, and key aspect of the prayer.

Hallowed be Your Name

Not only does the Lord’s Prayer address God, but it also says that God’s name is Hallowed. By saying the name of the Lord is Hallowed, this means that the name of God is something to be revered. Essentially this means that it is a name above any other, in God’s holy name should be magnified.

Your Kingdom Come

Here is where it gets into a lot more Old Testament references especially. The disciples and Jews would have learned about the kingdom of heaven, and they come in the kingdom of God. 

But they may have been a little bit confused because they believed that Jesus was the son of God, but they also didn’t understand that there were two comments of Jesus. By saying God’s kingdom come, Jesus was likely referencing common prayers that the disciples would have been familiar with, praying for a speedy return of God’s kingdom. 

However, we can see many references in both the Old in the New Testament, especially in the book of Ezekiel, Daniel, and in Revelation of the coming kingdom of God, when God sends Jesus back to earth once more, to set up his kingdom on earth. Then, the permanent kingdom of God is established, in which He will reign forevermore. 

Some scholars may also use this reference of your kingdom come, to refer to eternal life. If you are a child of God, then you will spend eternity in God’s kingdom.

Your Will be Done

Your will be done is a good reminder, that we as human beings are not in charge. In fact, it is the will of God, that we should be seeking, and that will come to fruition. God’s will is above our will, and His ways are above our ways.

On Earth as it is in Heaven

On earth, as it is in heaven reminds us that this earth is not our permanent home. But there will be a time in the coming age when Jesus returns to earth and sets up His reign here on earth. Then the city of God will descend from heaven where there will be no more sorrow. 

You can see these references in the Old Testament as well. In the book of Daniel, where He prophesies about the return of Jesus, and becoming kingdom. You can also find references in the book of Nehemiah as well as some of the Psalms of God’s return. 

Give us this Day our Daily Bread

And Jesus referenced give us this day our daily bread, the disciples would have been very familiar with God providing means for their ancestors throughout history. One example that comes to mind right off, is when the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness. God provided their daily bread by sending manna from heaven. 

There are also many other examples of God providing daily bread that was needed for His people.

And Forgive us our Debts as we Forgive our Debtors

There are also many examples of forgiveness throughout the Bible. Not only did Jesus come to earth for the forgiveness of our sins, but He also teaches forgiveness of sins to those who have wronged us. 

We can see examples of this in Exodus, Daniel, Jeremiah, and first Kings. The most common example that comes to mind a forgiveness of sins for those who have trespassed against us, is the example of David. 

David spent many years even though He had been anointed to be Israel’s next king, running for his life in the wilderness. There were times when Saul had him surrounded and it seemed like it was over for David, but it wasn’t. God protected David, but David also forgave Saul greatly even though he tried to kill him.

And Lead us not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil

There are so many examples of temptation and being delivered from evil throughout the entire Old Testament. The phrase lead us not into temptation is also a version of what is found in the Jewish morning prayer. 

Then ever since the fall of man, in the Garden of Eden back in the book of Genesis, mankind has been fighting against Satan who is the evil one. This battle will continue until the last days, when God who is the maker of all things good, triumphs over Satan forever.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever. Amen.

The book of Matthew closes the Lord’s Prayer with the statement “for yours is the kingdom in the power and the glory forever. Amen.” 

But the book of Luke does not include this as it is a different, slightly shorter version that Jesus gives his disciples at that time. This statement is simply a reminder that everything belongs to God. The kingdom is God’s, all the power is God’s, and all of the glory is God’s, forever.

God’s Love

God’s steadfast love is so great, that He sent the Savior Jesus as the son to the Earth. He was born in Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, buried, rose from the grave three days later, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. 

While on earth, for His earthly ministry, Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples, as a model prayer with which they could have greatly identified. This prayer still works as a model today for new covenant prayer.

Free Printable Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is also available in a free printable you can download and print out to hang as decorations around your home. To receive your free copy of this printable, simply enter your email address into the box below, and a free PDF file will be sent directly to your email inbox. 

Please note that this printable is for your personal use only and should not be used for commercial distribution under any circumstances.

New Covenant Believers

God’s steadfast love is great and is also represented in the promises made in the Old Testament, represented in the New Testament in the Lord’s Prayer. I hope that this free printable Lord’s Prayer has been an encouragement to you, and I hope that you will enjoy the free download! 

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out the free printable for Lord’s Prayer! I hope that you enjoy it! May the peace of God be with you.

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