The Lord's Prayer: The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught

by Adam Hamilton

The power and significance of the prayer Jesus taught.Most Christians know the Lord’s Prayer by heart. We pray it often, at different times and in different settings. We remember it as the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. But do we really understand and appreciate the meaning and power of its words, what we ask of God each time we pray it? When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus gave them this prayer. He likely taught it to his followers often, not just one time. He never intended the Lord’s Prayer to be a museum piece, framed and placed on a mantel or in a display case. It was Jesus teaching God’s people, through his disciples, how to pray.In The Lord’s The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught, pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton guides us to really know—and really pray—the Lord’s Prayer. He explores each of its rich lines and their meaning in the Bible, illuminating what we ask of God and what we ask of ourselves through its words. And he teaches us how to use it as a pattern for our own prayer life.Additional components for a six-week study include a DVD featuring Adam Hamilton and a comprehensive Leader Guide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Church, Christian, Prayer, Spirituality

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2021

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an important explanation of what the prayer says with lots of examples of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words and what they mean. 6 chapters cover each phrase, so it is an excellent study for small groups.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been praying this prayer for as long as I can remember. It's like a well-worn security blanket providing comfort, however it also provides the catalyst to change the person praying by guiding them to look beyond themselves and their immediate situation. Adam Hamilton does a wonderful job of unpacking this prayer and providing deeper meanings to each phrase.

Favorite quote: "We cannot sustain any long-term relationships without forgiveness, the willingness to let go."

[Gabby Gunnerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great reflection and re-look at a prayer I have heard throughout my entire life. I loved the examination of each piece individually and how they all flow together to create The Lord’s Prayer

[Debbie Babbage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of our church’s Lent study and it was wonderful. I really liked how Pastor Adam broke down the prayer by each verse, helping us to remember the importance of every phase and wording. So often we say this prayer out of habit and don’t reflect on the true impact this prayer is to our Christian lives. I highly recommend this book.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

As children many of us are taught to recite The Lord's Prayer. As adults we can still recite the prayer quickly but what thought have we ever given to what the prayer really means? Hamilton gives his interpretation of The Lord's Prayer line by line, citing scripture and meaning to the words we say. Enlightening and thought provoking information gives us the basis of what we should know behind the words of one of the most recited prayers given to us from the Bible. A quick read that had the means to make me think into the prayer and what Jesus wanted us to know about it.

[Melissa Gilbreth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the way each phrase was connected from Biblical history to contemporary life. The Lord’s Prayer is a constant in a changing world and I can so easily imagine people through generations finding peace in its words. I loved the message. There were parts of the delivery that kept reinforcing the same words and I only appreciated it the first couple times. I really loved that my church studied this together.

[Brandon Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Adam Hamilton uses his relatable prose, storytelling, and explanatory skills to unpack the deeper of themes of The Lord’s Prayer. He also talks about the history of the prayer and how the English version that is used in most churches today came about.

Good read for personal reflection or a group study. Leaders guide and DVD are also available.

[Ray Timmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once heard a pastor preach about how easy it is for us to recite the Lords prayer from memory without really understanding it. This has been so very true for me.

Adam Hamilton dives deeply into the meaning of this powerful prayer from Jesus. I had no idea the depths of these words.

Much has been learned with one reading but there is more to unpack. Perhaps the greatest lesson so far has been the selflessness taught in these simple words of Jesus.

Hamilton begins with the beginning, "Our Father..." Everything about this prayer emphasizes "us, our and we...", not "my, mine, and me."

This is a book worth reading again and again.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Hamilton did a good job explaining the Lord's Prayer and what some of the parts of the Prayer meant. Going back to the original Greek to explain why some of Bible translations are different. And also go deeper into the meanings of the Prayer.

There were too many stories. Most of them were about things that had occurred to him as a pastor. One or two would have been fine but many of them I was unable to identify.

This book was used in Sunday School. If it hadn't been for that, I probably wouldn't have finished it.

[Chris Leroux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hamilton has a lot of knowledge when it comes to biblical studies. The problem in this case is that this knowledge doesn’t translate into an easy, accessible read. This book is less than 150 pages and I struggled to make it all the way through. His insights are numerous, often repetitive, and typically fluffed up with spiritual jargon and cliches that make the practical implications harder to grasp. By focusing on such a narrow subject and passage, Hamilton ironically seems to have limited himself with substantial and memorable takeaways to provide. (2.5 out of 5)

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the print edition of this book with a discussion group from church, and we all agreed that it was outstanding. The prayer we say every week in church that we've known since childhood? Whoa! There's so much more to it than appears on the surface. This book gives profound and powerful meaning to that familiar prayer, yet is easy to read and understand. I am encouraged to pray the Lord's prayer frequently, more slowly, with presence and thoughtfulness, and try rise to the challenge of the responsibility inherent in each petition as Hamilton explains.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you write an entire book about a five-verse prayer in the Bible? Well, Adam Hamilton can, and he can make it interesting and insightful! I’m glad I bought this book, because it is a resource to which I need to continue to reference. His style of analyzing each word of the prayer’s original language and subsequent translations provides so much meaning. The Lord’s Prayer is so much more powerful than I ever realized. I like his idea to pray it at least daily and to emphasize a different verse each day of the week, thinking about how we can better apply it to our daily lives.

[Thomas (Tom) Baynham,Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question, the most thorough reading and practical reading of the Lord's Prayer I've encountered. Hamilton's writing is simply for the lay reader, yet compelling for clergy. It will change how congregations and individuals "survive and recover" from the mundane use of the "Our Father" in corporate and individual worship. I'm anxious for our congregation to begin the book study next month.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book chosen for our Women's Bible Study. What a powerful little book! Adam Hamilton takes us through the Lord's Prayer...such a lot to study in that short little prayer. This study made me look at the Lord's Prayer...which we all say sometimes without really thinking about the words..and do some critical thinking. Adam urges the reader to say this prayer...really say it, not just "say" it three times a day. I plan to do just that, thinking about what it means.

[Ann Straight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lord's Prayer is a summary of the Gospels in my thinking. This author makes me think I am on the right path. (I am doing a lot of soul searching over the archbishop of San Francisco denying Nancy Pelosi communion based on her political stance on legal and safe abortions for American Women.) This book is a good renewal of faith for me since it calmed me.

[Wendy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as my Lenten devotional. Recommended by my pastor and aligned with his sermon series for Lent, this was the perfect read during this season. I have always loved the Lord's Prayer and have found much comfort and inspiration in its content and consistency throughout my life, so it was great to do a deeper dive and learn more while meditating on each piece of the prayer.

[STEVEN M KING · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful study of the Lord's Prayer

A careful and thorough study of each line andq each word of this prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. Incorporates ancient wisdom and the latest scholarship. Easy reading but challenging to the soul.

[Gene And]

Wonder e it means to be a Christian? Read this!

Hamilton is not only a great preacher but also a great writer. We so automatically say the Lord's Prayer but you won't again after reading Hamilton's enlightening and thoughtful book.

[Ltcls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study of The Lord’s Prayer. Everyone in Bible study loved this book. Very meaningful and gives new understanding and appreciation for a prayer that is said every week in church without thinking much about what we’re saying.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely made me think about the words I "recite" sometimes in churvch. Now When I say them, I try to remember what they mean! Especially that I am praying to have help in doing these things, not just praying that God will take care of them!

[Bud Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent examination of the Lord's Prayer, employing the brst biblical scholarship. Thoughtful life illustrations and application. I read it during my morning devotions and found it refreshing and challenging. Hamilton, no doubt, is an engaging preacher.

[Autumn Mels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the ability to depict a prayer that I was taught at a child but wasn’t taught the importance of each word/declaration. Looking forward to using this to help teach my kids the importance of this prayer

[Mark Simpkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Adam Hamilton shares personal and historic insights into this most beautiful prayer. Hamilton is so good at explaining what each part of the prayer means and how each part helps us fulfill Christ’s vision for God’s Kingdom here on earth.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give 10 stars I would. The most helpful book I have read recently. One member of our small group bought copies for her family because, it explained the Lord's prayer so well and what we are called to do.

[Kathy Itson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lord’s Prayer

Do you know the Lord’s Prayer? I am sure you do but have you ever thought about what you are praying for? Adam Hamilton book will help you understand it in a new way.

[Kelevilin Kimathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lords prayer

The lords prayer is a master piece..Jesus's gave us a blue print although prayer is short it covers all aspects of human condition bread temptation forgiveness. The book analyses every aspect of this prayer and how we can apply it to our daily life.

[Daniel Carroll · Rating 1 out of 5]

Promise not kept

This book did nothing for me and my walk with the Lord. Never mind he talks about Neanderthals went extinct 50,000 years ago. When, the Bible tells us the the earth is Approximately 5,000 years old.

There were good theories in here, but this book is not for me.

[Nakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I learned so much more on the Lord’s Prayer from this book. I appreciate the breakdown on each verses and how to interpret the meaning. Excellent book!

[susan suydam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding religion is a complex life time journey, Hamilton again delivers his unique perspective of the "The Lords Prayer. fascinating explanation of these famous word. Great read

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of Adam Hamilton. He made the lord's prayer come to life, become so much more meaningful than rote reciting in church. Highly recommend