Topic: Can you tell me something about the Lord's Prayer

Date originally posted: March 12, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: J. Ruffo

Question: The words of the Lord's Prayer in The New American Bible Matthew 6:9-13 are very different than the words we pray at Mass.  Since we have the Liturgy of the Word being read by Lectors out of the NAB, why do we not use the actual words when praying the Lord's Prayer?  Verse 13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one, makes more sense.  We use the Protestant version, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.  God would not lead us into temptation for he tempts no one. And He will not take us away from evil, the world is evil.  We are asking the Lord for things He will not do.  Do not the events of 9/11 beg us to pray the way Jesus taught us?

Answer: 

Dear Joe, 

Good question.  I guess we’re using the “Protestant version”, as you say, of the Lord’s Prayer at Mass as this is the text presently in our Sacramentary.  It’s also the version the majority of English-speaking Catholics of this era grew up with in this country, so I imagine it would be tough to get people to say something different.  

Yes, the events of 9/11 do beg us to pray as Jesus taught us!  I think Jesus would be pleased with either version of His Prayer. 

Father John