Question:
Where does the “exact” wording for the Lord’s prayer come from that we use today? Also, where does the “For thine is the kingdom. . .” wording come from? It seems that most Bible translations of the Lord’s prayer are different than what we say and do not include the “For thine. . .” part?
Answer:
The correct wording of the Lord’s Prayer comes from the King James Bible in Matthew 6:9-13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
This is only meant to be a guideline for us in prayer, and not the only words that we pray. In the same passage it warns us against saying the same thing over an over again, because we soon are just speaking words, then, and not thinking about what we are really saying. Notice verses 7 and 8, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
The most important prayer that a person prays in his life is that for salvation. Have you repented of your sin and asked Jesus to save you? Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Then, after that, we need to pray every day, or the Bible says that we will faint. Luke 18:1 says, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.”
We have a sample Prayer List on this Web Site, if you would like to look it over and get some ideas on how to have a faithful prayer life.