The Lord's Prayer

by Thomas Watson

In The Lord’s Prayer Watson analyzes in detail the Preface to the prayer and the six petitions which it contains. His treatment of the words ‘thy kingdom come’ is exceptionally full, illuminating and stirring. Like all great books on prayer it provides practical help because it concentrates on biblical instruction.

Thomas Watson was one of the most popular preachers in London during the Puritan era. His writings are marked with clarity, raciness and spiritual richness. Nowhere is this seen so clearly as in his outstandingly helpful exposition of the Shorter Catechism drawn up by the Westminster Assembly. The three-volume edition (of which this is the third) makes an ideal guide to Christian doctrine and practice and also serves as a wonderful introduction to Puritan literature.

Genres: Theology, Prayer, Christian, Discipleship, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Religion

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1692

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted for remarkably intense study. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. He showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, with, however, an attachment to the king, and in 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love's plot to recall Charles II of England. He was released on 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding the rigor of the acts against dissenters, Watson continued to exercise his ministry privately as he found opportunity. Upon the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he obtained a license to preach at the great hall in Crosby House. After preaching there for several years, his health gave way, and he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret. He was buried on 28 July 1686.

(Information from wikipedia.org)

Reviews

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul-stirring and wonderful.

“The pearl of price, the Lord Jesus, he is the quintessence of all good things. To give us Christ, is more than if God had given us all the world. He can make more worlds, but he has no more Christs to bestow; he is such a golden mine, that the angels cannot dig to the bottom. Eph ii 8. From Christ we may have justification, adoption, and coronation. The sea of God's mercy in giving us Christ . . . should swallow up all our wants.“ (206)

[Gus Crotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed of how in depth a discussion was provided here about a (seemingly) short and simple prayer. But it is the prayer of our Lord!

This man argues against many practices of catholic, orthodox, and Protestants but backs them all up very well. I think all denominations could find truth in his argumentative points. Do not shy away because he is a puritan.

This work takes so long to read not because of page length but because of the proper amount of time it takes to absorb what is being said on each page.

Please read this.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final instalment in the three volumes that originally comprised Thomas Watson's A Body of Practical Divinity. Watson was both an excellent theologian and stylist. His practical theology is also outstanding. My only minor criticism is that he repeats himself a little, but, given it is Watson, it is always good stuff.

[Grant Blackmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book to help you improve your prayer life. Every time I returned to this book I got more out of it. The Puritans really knew how to get the most out of scripture! Watson is always so practical and devotional. I usually read it before bed, and it gave my heart wonderful things to meditate on before I feel asleep.

[Cal Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the lower end of 3 stars for me. He seems to use the Lord's prayer to go into a theological exploration of every major systematic theme you can think of. The book was helpful in parts but lacked focus because of its large breadth making it difficult to follow Watson's argument and train of thought. While I am mostly tracking with Watson's theological conclusions, I would push back against one. He seems to suggest at several points that a certain level of contrition is needed for true repentance to count which, logically, seems to be dangerous ground to walk on. How can a Christian know if their remorse is great enough and how can they know if their sin is truly forgiven if there is a degree of contrition that needs to be achieved? Can a Christian not pray, "God, forgive me of my sin. Also, I do not hate this sin as much as I should. Would you help me hate my sin more?" Christ's blood pleads a sure forgiveness for both of these confessions.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was assigned reading for my Personal sanctification class. Very good. There was some language and a few other things that I was not on board with and parts felt a bit repetitive, but it was both helpful and encouraging to better understanding the Lord’s Prayer. The audiobook helped me get through the second half with better attention.

[William Albers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it makes for somewhat heavy reading, Thomas Watson's lengthy exposition of the Lord's Prayer is a veritable gold mine of insights. This book manages to be theologically rich and pastorally sensitive at the same time. I highly recommend it, and I am looking forward to cracking open Watson's work on the Ten Commandments in the near future.

[Tom Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watson was one of the primary references I used in preaching through the Lord's Prayer. Very useful, pastoral and devotional. Highly recommended.

[Jim Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Watson was an English Puritan preacher during the 17th century. He wrote several books during his ministry on Christian doctrine, including topical works such as The Lord’s Supper, The Ten Commandments, and The Doctrine of Repentance. In this topical vein he tackles the Lord’s Prayer.

Watson’s writing style might be stilted and intricate to modern readers. He breaks the prayer down into six petitions and then poses questions for each petition. Each question gets an elaborate set of answers that are most often backed by scripture references. Many of the answers tend to be pedantic and lead the reader down theological wormholes.

Even though the book is filled with tiring elaborations, it nevertheless contains rich veins of truth and insight into the Lord’s Prayer and how Christians should incorporate the model into their personal sanctification. The gold is worth the toil of the mining.

[Jonathan Trousdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic

This was a classic text by the puritan pastor Thomas Watson. It details his thoughts on the Lord's Prayer, and its six petitions. It has many good insights, and is mist valuable as a window into the mind of a pastor from the puritan era. However, it is incredibly long-winded and repetitive. Many thoughts are recorded two or three times. Points seem to be made haphazardly, as if they are just in the order that they occurred to the author. But it is worth reading. Many good insights nonetheless.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book but hated the size of type it was printed in. It made it so hard to read that it became a chore. Not that the book would have become shorter in larger types, but the effort would have been less. That said, I could only make it halfway through the book and skimmed the rest. I will save the book for reference since the truths presented are timeless. It’s a wonderful, detailed explanation of each of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer and more proof that the Puritans have a near monopoly on Godly interpretation of the Scriptures.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy to read the Lord’s Prayer by Thomas Watson.

Watson writes with considerable ease, in order to convey God’s word clearly and biblically. He writes in short and punchy sentences. While each chapter may seem long - the second petition of Thy Kingdom come is 97 pages! - they are loaded with biblical truth.

The slog to read this is hugely rewarded with the truth that you glean. Much recommended!

[Pat Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lord’s Prayer is the last book from the Thomas Watson series with A Body of Practical Divinity and the Ten Commandments. I would recommend all three, but I believe that the Lord’s Prayer is the best of the three.q

All three of these books are great to read in a devotional manner. Watson does a great job of really emphasizing the holiness of God, which leads the reader to a worshipful and devotional attitude towards God. Recommend all three, but particularly this book on the Lord’s Prayer.

[Jeremy Kruizinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Watson squeezes everything he can from each of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. A bit repetitive and his structure is difficult to follow at times. That being said, his reflections and exposition of the Lord's Prayer are unmatched. Much to chew on here.

[Jeremy Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Can’t say any more. If you want to get a secure grasp on Christian doctrine and teaching then avoid Morden writers and get stuck into the 17 th century with this awesome work. Highly recommend

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of practical advice but also really rabbit-trailing. The trails are interesting and helpful but occasionally use scriptural metaphors that stretch the limits of belief or proper application of the text. Lots of Puritan quirks and goodness here.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply appreciated Thomas Watson’s The Lord’s Prayer for both its practical guidance and spiritual richness. This book offers a thoughtful exposition of the prayer that Christ taught in Matthew 6, and Watson carefully unfolds each petition, phrase by phrase, revealing not only the theology but the heart behind every word. I read it slowly, just a few pages at a time, to meditate on the depth of his writing and let the truths sink into my mind and heart.

Having read his earlier works on the Shorter Catechism and the Ten Commandments, this book felt like a natural continuation of his clear and instructive style. One of the qualities I most admire in Watson is his gift for expressing profound truths and essential principles in concise, memorable sentences—truths that linger long after reading. The Lord’s Prayer nourishes both mind and soul, guiding readers toward a deeper understanding of prayer and a more thoughtful practice of it in daily life.

[Daniel Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff, but very repetitive to read straight through if you are familiar with Christian devotional life already. Probably very valuable to pull sections from for teaching, exhortation, discipleship, and the like.

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[John Funnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful companion through our sermon series.

Soaked in Christ centred love

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

330 pages of meditation on 5 verses. Rich and devotional. Really liked his sections on "thy kingdom come" and "lead us not into temptation."

[Ryan Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible how he avoided the broader implications of the lord's prayer and just made this a 330 page tome on devotional uses of the Lord's Prayer. Could have been much much better

[Jake Ruefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best puritan or puritan-adjacent book I’ve read yet.

[Robert]

A BODY OF DIVINITY
THE TEN COMANDMENTS
THE LORDS PRAYER
3 VOLUMES
BANER OF TRUTH TRUST.
1974

[Juan Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro, cómo hasta ahora todo lo que he leído de T. Watson . Excelentes aplicaciones , muy buenos ejemplos y desafiantes .

[Darby Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, insightful book on prayer. Demonstrates how the Lord's Prayer encapsulates almost everything that concerns us in the Christian life.

[Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly convicting and comforting. A terrific exposition of what is the Lord’s Prayer and what we pray for when we pray it.

[Eliot Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will reference again. Will not read again.

[Lawson Hembree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lord's Prayer is probably the most well-known and often-recited prayer in human history. Even those with rudimentary knowledge of the Christian faith can recite it by heart. But have you ever stopped to consider what this "model prayer" is actually teaching us? In The Lord's Prayer, Thomas Watson takes an in-depth look at each of the six petitions of the Lord's Prayer and how our prayer lives can be shaped by each one. The book begins by looking at the opening line of the prayer--"Our Father in heaven"--and has a beautiful list of encouragements related to God being our Father. Watson helps explain what each petition means, gives examples in Scripture, and then provides advice on how to pray in line with that petition during your daily prayers. While it does get a bit wordy at times, this book has lots of quality insights and quotes that will help bolster your prayer life, strengthen your relationship with our Father, and give you a fresh appreciation for this model prayer that Jesus gives to His disciples to teach them how to pray.

[WH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fine work by Watson. So many gems of wisdom and insight that are still practical today. A truly great exposition of the Lord's Prayer.

Note: I only read the sections pertaining to the second half of the Lord's Prayer.