Why Do Catholics Pray the Our Father?
Why do Catholics pray the Our Father? Discover Jesus' teaching, the seven petitions, and how faithful repeated prayer differs from empty or manipulative words.
Related: why do Catholics pray the Our Father · Lord's Prayer meaning · vain repetition · empty babbling · seven petitions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Our Father in the Bible?
Jesus teaches it in Matthew 6:9–13 and in a shorter form in Luke 11:2–4. Matthew presents a pattern for prayer; Luke also tells the disciples to say these words when they pray.
Is repeating the Our Father vain repetition?
Not simply because it is repeated. Matthew 6:7 condemns babbling as though many words force God to listen. Repeated prayer can express sincere trust; careless or manipulative recitation misses its purpose.
What are the seven petitions of the Our Father?
They ask that God's name be hallowed, his kingdom come, and his will be done; then for daily bread, forgiveness, protection in temptation, and deliverance from evil.
Why do Catholics say Our Father instead of My Father?
Jesus teaches us to pray as members of God's family. Even in private, we ask for our needs together with the needs of others, rather than treating prayer as only an individual concern.
Does lead us not into temptation mean God tempts us to sin?
No. God does not entice anyone to evil. The petition asks him to protect us in trial and help us not yield to temptation; the Catechism explains this in paragraphs 2846–2849.