Like all loving and sincere earthly fathers, God loves us in our weakness, provides for our needs, teaches us in our ignorance, and corrects us when we go astray.

Jesus teaches us always to understand ourselves not only as individuals but as members of God’s family of believers, and to pray accordingly.

All who come to God through faith and Baptism in Christ are adopted as children of God the Father.

We call God “Father” because Jesus teaches his disciples that we are God’s children and should call God “our Father.”

The traditional form of the Lord’s Prayer begins by addressing God the Father, makes seven petitions, adds a doxology, and concludes with “Amen.”

The Lord’s Prayer models the primary types of prayer: praise of God, intercession for his rule, petition for his provision and protection, and confession of sins. I should pray regularly in all these ways.

I should pray the Lord’s Prayer regularly because it teaches me to pray as Jesus commanded and to desire what his Father wills.

I should learn the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus taught it to his disciples as both a practice and a pattern for prayer to God the Father.

The traditional version of the Lord’s Prayer is this: 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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.