‘Lord’s Prayer’ Question Goes Unanswered

by Jon Hathorn on September 23, 2023

"Our Father Who art in heaven..." Matthew 6:9

It was almost unbelievable for me to see and hear. I was watching the TV show Jeopardy and one of the questions related to the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer in the Bible from the Book of Matthew reads as follows:

Our Father Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Many people in churches all over the world, actually pray this prayer each week in church or on some sort of regular basis. Since I have gone to church my entire life, I assume that some people (wishing it was many people or all people) would not only be able to recite this prayer but believe and want to let God know what is on their heart.

Well, during the show, when part of the Lord's Prayer was on the screen - it was clear to me that the answer was the next word in the prayer. I don't know how much the question was worth. I do know that I was surprised that none of the three contestants knew the answer. It is very sad to know that some people have very little knowledge or awareness of Bible content.

I was reflecting on what might be several extremely important things that are in the Scriptures that everyone should know.

God loves us- John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
Man has fallen short of God's glory- Romans 3:23 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
God provides grace and mercy- Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
God calls and we must respond- Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

It is my prayer today that you and I may have the opportunity to share this good news with others.

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."