7 Days With the Lord's Prayer: A Family Reading Plan
Jesus gave His disciples words that turn their attention to the Father, His kingdom, daily needs, forgiveness, and help. This seven-day plan invites your family to read His teaching and begin praying with understanding.
Find ways for different ages to read together. If you miss a day, continue with the next unread passage; you do not need to double up.
Before you begin
Read Matthew 6:5-15 in context. Use the wording in your own Bible. Translations may handle the closing doxology differently; you can ask a trusted pastor about the wording your family or church uses.
Read the passage aloud, discuss the question, and pray together. Jesus teaches us to turn to the Father, seek His kingdom and will, and bring our needs to Him.
Day 1: Pray to the Father
Read: Matthew 6:5-8
Talk: What does Jesus say about praying to impress others?
Try: Pray to the Father about a need, remembering that He knows what you need before you ask.
Day 2: Honor our Father
Read: Matthew 6:9
Talk: How does Jesus teach His disciples to address God?
Try: Name something about God's character to praise.
Day 3: Seek God's kingdom and will
Read: Matthew 6:10
Talk: Whose kingdom and will are at the center of this prayer?
Try: Ask for help obeying God in one ordinary choice.
Day 4: Ask for today's needs
Read: Matthew 6:11
Talk: What ordinary need does Jesus include?
Try: Ask for what your household needs today, and remember someone else's needs.
Day 5: Ask forgiveness and consider others
Read: Matthew 6:12, 14-15
Talk: How does Jesus connect receiving forgiveness and forgiving others?
Try: Confess a wrong honestly. Ask for help forgiving without excusing harm.
Day 6: Ask for protection and help
Read: Matthew 6:13
Talk: What help does Jesus teach His disciples to ask for?
Try: Name a temptation and a practical way to seek help resisting it.
Day 7: Pray the passage together
Read: Matthew 6:5-15
Talk: What do you notice when you read the whole teaching again?
Try: Pray the Lord's Prayer using the wording in your Bible, then bring your family's requests to the Father.
A note for grown-ups
Let children ask questions or choose to listen. When you talk about forgiveness, explain that it does not mean keeping harm secret, pretending something was acceptable, or returning to an unsafe situation. A trusted adult can help.
Keep a simple record
Write one prayer request and the date. Later, note what changed and what remains unresolved. There is room for both gratitude and continued asking.
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Original guidance and prayers by Modern Burlap. Scripture references point to the Bible; prompts and reflections are not Bible quotations. Free for personal and family use. Share this resource page with someone who could use it.