The Lord’s Prayer: Full Text, Versions, and Catholic Practices

There are few prayers that bridge 2.4 billion Christians across denominations, yet the exact wording still stirs debate. The Lord’s Prayer, taught by Jesus in the Gospels, appears in Matthew 6:9-13 and a shorter form in Luke 11:2-4, with the King James Version tacking on a doxology that the earliest manuscripts omit.

Versions in common use: 3 (KJV, NIV, Catholic) ·
Biblical sources: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 ·
Christian adherents: Approximately 2.4 billion ·
Doxology inclusion: Not in earliest manuscripts; added later

Five key facts set the foundation for understanding the Lord’s Prayer across traditions.

What is the full Lord’s prayer?

The most widely used English version in Protestant circles follows the King James Version of Matthew 6:9-13, which ends with the doxology “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Bible Gateway). Catholic English renderings typically stop after “deliver us from evil,” omitting the doxology entirely (Catholic Answers Magazine).

What are the biblical sources?

• The prayer appears in Matthew (Sermon on the Mount) and Luke (a separate occasion), with different wordings (Pinnacle Presbyterian Church).
• Neither biblical form includes the doxology – it was likely added in the fourth century during liturgical use.
• The oldest surviving manuscript (Papyrus 75, 3rd century) also lacks the doxology (Pinnacle Presbyterian Church).

Why do Catholics and Protestants differ?

• Catholic liturgy retains the “Our Father” without the doxology, which is instead said separately by the priest.
• Protestants, especially in the King James tradition, treat the doxology as part of the prayer itself (Christianity.com).
• Modern ecumenical translations use “Our Father in heaven” and “your” rather than “thy” (Pinnacle Presbyterian Church).

The takeaway: The “full” prayer depends on your tradition. Catholics consider the seven petitions – ending with deliverance from evil – as the prayer Jesus taught. The doxology is a later liturgical addition.

Does God know you before you are born?

This question surfaces often alongside the Lord’s Prayer because both touch on God’s nature and relationship with humanity. The Bible’s answer is unambiguous.

What does the Bible say about God’s foreknowledge?

• Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Bible Gateway)
• Psalm 139:16 describes God’s awareness of every person before birth.
• God’s omniscience is a core Christian doctrine (systematic theology).

How does this relate to predestination?

• Paul writes in Romans 8:29 that those “foreknown” are predestined to be conformed to Christ.
• The Lord’s Prayer petitions for God’s will to be done, reflecting trust in God’s sovereign plan.

The pattern: God’s knowledge of the unborn is affirmed across multiple biblical books. The Lord’s Prayer’s opening address – “Our Father” – places the believer within that divine relationship from before birth.

Why do Catholics touch their forehead, lips, and chest?

During the Lord’s Prayer in some Catholic liturgies, you might see worshippers make a small sign of the cross at the words “and deliver us from evil.” That gesture has a specific meaning.

What is the sign of the cross?

• The sign of the cross is a ritual blessing of the body, often made at the Gospel reading and at certain moments in prayer.
• It symbolizes the Trinity and Christ’s protection (Catholic Answers).

When do Catholics make this gesture during the Lord’s Prayer?

• In the extraordinary form of the Mass, the congregation makes the sign of the cross at the petition “and deliver us from evil.”
• Some do it as a personal devotion, asking for protection from the evil one.

Why it matters: The touch is a physical “amen” to the prayer’s final petition – a plea for deliverance made concrete.

Which sin can God never forgive?

Jesus’ prayer includes a line about forgiveness: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” But the Gospels also mention a sin that cannot be forgiven.

What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

• Mark 3:29 states that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness (Bible Gateway).
• The Catholic Catechism (No. 1864) explains it as a persistent refusal to repent and accept God’s mercy.

How does this relate to the Lord’s Prayer petition for forgiveness?

• The Lord’s Prayer asks for forgiveness daily, but blasphemy against the Spirit is a permanent rejection of the grace that makes forgiveness possible.
• Therefore, the petition is conditioned on a heart that remains open to repentance.

The catch: The unforgivable sin is not a single act but a settled state of resistance. The Lord’s Prayer, by asking for forgiveness, affirms that God stands ready to forgive.

What should Catholics do before bed?

Night prayers often include the Lord’s Prayer as a way to entrust the day and the coming night to God. Catholic tradition prescribes a short routine.

Do Catholics recite the Lord’s Prayer before sleep?

• Yes, the Lord’s Prayer is part of daily night prayers, often paired with the Hail Mary and Glory Be.
• The Catholic Church’s Liturgy of the Hours includes it in Compline (night prayer).

What is the bedtime routine for Catholics?

• Examination of conscience – reviewing the day’s sins (Catholic Answers).
• Recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and Act of Contrition.
• Some also pray the Angelus.

The effect: The Lord’s Prayer functions as a final surrender of the day’s burdens, aligning the believer’s heart with God’s will before rest.

Comparison of major English versions

Three versions, one pattern: the core petitions stay the same, while vocabulary and the doxology divide along denominational lines.

The trade-off: Catholics preserve the earliest manuscript form by omitting the doxology, while Protestants retain a beloved liturgical ending.

For the billions who pray the Lord’s Prayer daily, the choice between versions isn’t merely textual – it’s a reflection of tradition and trust in the earliest recorded words of Jesus. Whether you end with “forever and ever” or stop at “deliver us from evil,” the prayer remains the model Jesus gave. For Catholics navigating bedtime routines, the prayer offers a final surrender. For Protestants, it’s a weekly communal anchor. The bottom line for every reader: pick the version that connects you to God’s kingdom, and pray it as Jesus intended – with sincerity and faith. For further reading on community support, see our Mutual Aid Group article, or explore ethical principles in our Code of Conduct guide.

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