This week we’re memorizing (or refreshing) the last verses of the Lord’s Prayer.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 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.
Matthew 6:12-13 (KJV)
Depending on which gospel account or which translation you’re reading, there are two different endings to the Lord’s Prayer.
Luke stops with, “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4 KJV). But Matthew’s account sometimes includes one more sentence: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13 KJV).
Because many scholars say the last sentence is not included in the oldest and best manuscripts of the book of Matthew, it’s often not considered authentic. My personal favorite translation—English Standard Version—doesn’t include it at all in Matthew 6:13.
So what do we do with it?
Some just omit the last sentence when they recite the Lord’s Prayer; others continue to say it.
I personally include it because it is valid truth I want to affirm—His IS the kingdom and the power and the glory forever!—and whether or not Jesus spoke those actual words to His disciples, I can mean them when I pray. But if others choose not to, I understand that as well.
What about you? How did you first learn the Lord’s Prayer?
Do you include the last sentence?
What words or phrases stand out to you as personally meaningful in this prayer?
Please share your thoughts below and with our Facebook group.
What about you? How did you first learn the Lord’s Prayer?
Do you include the last sentence?
What words or phrases stand out to you as personally meaningful in this prayer?
I first learned the Lord’s Prayer word for word as an adult. I can remember my parents reciting it as a child.
I didn’t really understand the full meaning of the prayer I just knew I saw the two of them praying it so I repeated it not fully understanding the meaning as just how wonderful & powerful the words really are.
As a adult student I include the last sentence for the same reason as you repeat it. The phrase that stands out for me & has personal meaning is And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Such a powerful line to me.
In my mind I see our perfect Father forgiving as we truly repent and he wipes the slate clean turning the page never to remind or taunt us of our sin again.
At times I can be forgetful of that line. Holding record of wrongs others have done to me. Forgetting that the Father tells us. Saying I forgive but holding unforgiveness spirit. Agree with me in prayer to as I ask the Father to help me over come and live out 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
To truly forgive as I am forgive and walk in Love through the Holy Spirit.
Thank you & Have a blessed day
I know we are not alone in struggling with this: accepting our own forgiveness, and forgiving others as our Father has forgiven us.
So yes, Novella, I do join with you in praying that we can live out Love better! We’ve been empowered to do so. Thank you for sharing your tender heart because it encourages us all to be more aware of the gracious love of our Lord.
I, too, am refreshing the Lord’s Prayer in the King James Version as that is what I knew and chose to renew it in my mind and heart that way. Yes, that last sentence is a part for me in this prayer so I am keeping that in. It is already there in me, but I find the words are Truth whether they are part of an authentic Scripture or not. God is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. And I can say a hearty AMEN to those.
I am linking up from:
http://beingwoven.org/2013/07/10/the-word-of-the-lord-came-to/
I so agree with you, Linda. Beautifully said.
Thanks for sharing your link with us. I’m encouraged by your prayer to our Lord.