The phrase “Our Father who art in heaven” comes from the opening line of the Lord’s Prayer, taught by Jesus in the New Testament as a model for how to pray.

Key Bible verse

The classic King James–style wording you’re asking about is drawn from Matthew’s account of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
(Matthew 6:9, KJV)

Modern translations usually render it:

“Pray then like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.’”
(Matthew 6:9, ESV)

Luke gives a shorter, slightly different version:

“When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.’”
(Luke 11:2)

Where it appears in the Bible

  • Primary passage: Matthew 6:9–13, within the Sermon on the Mount, is the fullest biblical form of the Lord’s Prayer and includes “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”.
  • Parallel passage: Luke 11:2–4 contains a shorter form Jesus gives when the disciples ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
  • Traditional liturgical form: Many churches use the slightly older English:
    “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name…” based on Matthew 6:9–13 as reflected in historic prayer books and liturgies.

Traditional full prayer (for reference)

Historically, English-speaking Christians have prayed a form like this, drawn from Matthew 6:9–13 and long church use:

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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

This form combines the biblical text of Matthew 6:9–13 with a traditional closing doxology that many Protestants include in public worship.

Mini insight: what the opening line means

  • “Our Father” emphasizes relationship and community: God is approached as a caring Father, and “our” reminds the pray-er they are part of a people, not praying in isolation.
  • “Who art in heaven / in heaven” points to God’s sovereignty and holiness—He is above all earthly limitations, yet still intimately addressed as Father.
  • “Hallowed be Thy/Your name” is a request that God’s name be honored, revered, and treated as holy throughout the world and in the life of the one praying.

If you tell me how you plan to use this (study, teaching kids, personal prayer, etc.), I can tailor a short explanation or study guide around “Our Father who art in heaven” specifically.