As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household
Our Father who art in heaven.
What is this?
Here God tenderly urges us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently and with full conviction, as dear children ask their dear father.
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What is this?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also.
How is this done?
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches and lives in any other way than what God’s Word teaches defiles the name of God among us. Preserve us from this, Heavenly Father!
The Second Petition
Thy kingdom come.
What is this?
The kingdom of God comes by itself even without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it would come to us also.
How is this done?
When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and there in eternity.
The Third Petition
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
What is this?
The good and gracious will of God is certainly done without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done?
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and intention which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until our end. This is His gracious and good will.
The Fourth Petition
Give us this day our daily bread.
What is this?
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all evil people; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to recognise this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?
Everything that belongs to the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, property, land, animals, money, goods, a devout spouse, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honour, good friends, faithful neighbours, and other such things.
The Fifth Petition
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What is this?
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor refuse our petitions because of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them. Instead, we pray that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and we truly deserve nothing but punishment. In the same way, on our part, we will also sincerely forgive and willingly do good to those who sin against us.
The Sixth Petition
And lead us not into temptation.
What is this?
God certainly tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and that, though they attack us, we would finally overcome and win the victory.
The Seventh Petition
But deliver us from evil.
What is this?
We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from every kind of evil of body and soul, property and honour; and that finally, when our last hour comes, He would give us a blessed end and graciously take us from this valley of tears to Himself into heaven.
Amen.
What is this?
I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and that he hears them; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way, and has promised that He will hear us. “Amen, Amen,” that is, “Yes, yes, it shall be so.”