Fifty-Seven Words That Change The World: A Journey Through The Lord's Prayer

by Darrell W. Johnson

Nowhere is Jesus' brilliance more manifest than in the prayer he taught his disciples to pray, the prayer that has come to be known as the "Lord's Prayer." A mere fifty-seven words in the original Greek, the Lord's Prayer gathers up all of life and brings it before God. In eight stirring meditations, Darrell Johnson shows how the Lord's Prayer sums up the essence of Christian faith and, when prayed in faith, draws us into draws us into the Triune God's work of transforming the world.

Darrell W. Johnson is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A popular conference and retreat speaker, he has also served as the preaching pastor for a number of congregations in North America and the Philippines and Adjunct Professor of Preaching for the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His other books include Experiencing the Trinity and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey through the Book of Revelation.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian Living

130 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Darrell W. Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada.

He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver.

He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation.
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He is currently serving as a pastor at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network.
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He and his wife Sharon have been married over 50 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving 11 active grandchildren!

Reviews

[Bert van der Vaart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darrell Johnson is a wonderfully clear writer who has a gift of analyzing significant aspects of the Christian faith. This is my second Darrell Johnson book (Jesus the Healer was also great). Here Johnson analyzes the Lord's Prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples. He unpacks the individual components (analyzing the original language, Biblical and historical context) to show the depth and comprehensive beauty of the prayer and more generally the Christian faith. Among the insights I gained in this book is the fullness of praying/commanding the Lord that His will be done, as well as the significance of our asking Him to forgive us OUR debts AS we forgive OUR debtors, and how broad the definition of "will" and "debts" are. Finally, I think the reader will see that Johnson is not all about showing how smart or original he is (although he is I think); rather, he is humble and excited to share his insights to his readers as an equal. Great stuff.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best explanations of the Lord's Prayer written. I have now read this 4 times each time in a Bible study group and we have all found it amazing Highly recommend

[Cameron Roxburgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful exposition of the Lord's Prayer - encouraging and challenging

[Emily Delape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darrell Johnson has become one of my favorite Bible teachers. I picked this book up in hopes of digging deeper into The Word, and this did not disappoint. He does a wonderful job of breaking down each line, looking into the original text, and making connections to how we interpret The Lord's Prayer today.

Chapter 6 was a particular favorite of mine. It caused me to do a deep dive on the Garden of Eden. Any book that causes me to want to dig into the Bible for myself is a win. I'll be unpacking that chapter for a while.

Darrell Johnson also has a way of taking seminary level ideas and breaking them down for the average person. He introduces theological ideas, original text words, etc - but you don't need to have a Bible degree to easily understand. He is a great teacher, and it has translated into book form as well (which is not always the case).

[Johnny Dodsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darryl Johnson is such an incredible Pastor, Author and Theologian.

In Fifty-Seven Words that Change the World, he takes a sober look at what Jesus really meant in The Lord's Prayer. There is no doubt that this short read is no less powerful due to its length.

Johnson lets Jesus' words to the talking and helps the reader engage in the biblical, historical and contemporary realities of what it means to pray:

Our Father in Heaven
Your name be honoured as Holy
Your Kingdom Come
Your Will be done on earth as in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from Evil.

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book to read with some helpful insights. Johnson certainly highlighted some of the elements of the Lord's Prayer that I had not previously considered. A pretty easy book to read that one could pick up and receive some edifying insight. Nothing bulled me over too much but nonetheless a good book to have on the shelf for some light devotional reading.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book on the Lord's Prayer! It was both a delight to read and a breath of fresh air from an amazing Biblical teacher. I have read a lot of books on prayer but few managed to really get to the heart of how prayer can transform us and how prayer connects us to God. Highly recommend, it's also a very easy read!

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book on the Lord's prayer. Simple and clear and easy to read. Profound in its insights. Humble in its application. Can easily be read devotionally once a year to help breath new life and perspective into the discipline of prayer.

[Carol Wakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

This is a must read! The depth of theology is incredible. The insights are faith altering. This book has increased my love and understanding of God and Jesus. I highly recommend this book!!

[Sara Reimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reminder of the depth of scripture. And the authority we are given as we pray these simple (not so simple) words. A reminder not to recite verbatim, but understand the richness of the context.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GREAT book, as usual. Made me think

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Darrell's heart and passion poured into helping to understand the Lord's Prayer deeper. 4.5 stars. Easy to read as well with Christ-centered applications.

[Coleen Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on who Jesus is

This has changed my perspective of prayer and who God is who I am praying to. Truly a gift
Powerful

[Amanda Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean wow this was just so good and beautiful and I’ll probably read and reflect on it time and time again! Hallowed be Your name!

[Alfred Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Made me realized that the Lord's Prayer is more than just petitions. It's how we pray to our Heavenly Father.

[Keith Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and accessible - a really great reflection on the Lord’s Prayer and what it means for us today. Only God can do it

[Kurtis Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

so be it!

What a good honest explanation of the LORD's Prayer. Amen. No words to be added and none should be taken way.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but excellent book on the Lord’s Prayer. This is a keeper.

[Betsy Saroni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to revisit repeatedly and make part of my prayer life. “It is not that complicated.” Practicing, repeating, praying the last chapter will change me and form me.

[Katrin V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this alongside the very meticulous Barclay
commentary and Martin Luther’s discourse on The Lord’s Prayer. Although Johnson is not as exhaustive in his presentation his book best conveys the loving character of God and his personal stories are great
illustrations to enliven our practice of praying this prayer. It is probably worth re-reading annually to jolt me out of rote repetition.

June 2020: this books gets better with each reading.
May 2023: amazing how much I had forgotten. Still a superb read.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a suburb book on the Lord's Prayer. If you are to read no other book on The Lord's Prayer that would be quite alright. Darrell Johnson opens one's eye to a whole new way of viewing this important prayer. Through his teaching you will truly come to see why this is such an amazing prayer that covers all of our concerns.

[Genie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that changed my perspective of praying the Lord's Prayer. There's a deeper meaning in it and it should not be taken for granted. Words are powerful component of prayer so make every word sincere :) A really great book for reflection. Bravo!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard not to give Darrell five stars, but this is a nice treatment, nevertheless.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darrell Johnson gives us a brilliant treatment of the Lord's Prayer.