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Lord’s Prayer
(2,034 words)

1. The Different Versions

1.1. The NT contains two versions of the Lord’s Prayer. The form used in most liturgies is that of Matt. 6:9b–13, which begins with the invocation “Our Father, [you] who are in the heavens” (lit. trans.). Three petitions follow in reference to God (“your name … your kingdom … your will”), and four in reference to those who are praying (“our bread … our debts … lead us not … deliver us”). The oldest MSS omit the doxology. The shorter form in Luke 11:2b–4 opens with the simple address “Fathe…

Cite this page
Merkel, Helmut and Hultgren, Arland J., “Lord’s Prayer”, in: Encyclopedia of Christianity Online. Consulted online on 25 September 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2211-2685_eco_L528>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004169678, 20080512



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