“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father(A) in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom(B) come,
your will be done,(C)
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.(D)
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.(E)
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a](F)
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b](G)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.
  2. Matthew 6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(A)Pray then like this:

(B)“Our Father in heaven,
(C)hallowed be (D)your name.[a]
10 (E)Your kingdom come,
(F)your will be done,[b]
    (G)on earth as it is in heaven.
11 (H)Give us (I)this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And (J)lead us not into temptation,
    but (K)deliver us from (L)evil.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence
  2. Matthew 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
  3. Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow
  4. Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

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