Lord’s Prayer More Recognizable than ‘Star Wars,’ UK Survey Shows
A recent international poll shows more people in the United Kingdom recognize a line from the Lord’s Prayer than from Star Wars, Shakespeare, Dickens or Churchill.
In May, research firm Savanta asked over 2,000 UK adults to match seven famous lines from literature, history and pop culture to their sources from a multiple-choice list.
Over 80% of respondents correctly attributed, “Give us this day our daily bread,” to the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6. The second-most-recognized line, “May the force be with you,” was matched by 79.9% of participants to the Star Wars film series.
The five other lines and their correct match rates include:
- “To be or not to be.” – Hamlet by William Shakespeare (73%)
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (39%)
- “Happy and glorious / Long to reign over us.” – UK National Anthem, “God Save The King” (63%)
- “You’ll never walk alone.” – Gerry and the Pacemakers, Anthem of Liverpool FC (58%)
- “Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill (61%)
Participants were also asked which line from the Lord’s Prayer was most meaningful to them. Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” scored highest – resonating with 43% of respondents, 56% of those identifying as Christians.
Additionally, 89% of participants reported they had previously heard the Lord’s Prayer. Among those who did not affiliate with religion, 88% were familiar with the prayer.
When asked about their prayer habits, 89% answered they had said the Lord’s Prayer before, with 58% reciting it daily.
“These results reflect what we’ve been hearing across the North of England through our Faith in the North initiative, which invites people to explore the Lord’s Prayer,” said Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. He continued:
Though ancient, its words continue to resonate with people of all faiths and none.
In a world of shifting cultures and changing circumstances, the Lord’s Prayer remains a steady guide — perhaps never more so than now.
Lines like “Give us this day our daily bread” speak powerfully to today’s challenges, reminding us to seek sufficiency, not excess, and to consider what “enough” truly means.
The Church of England also provides a Daily Prayer podcast and app, which has been downloaded more than 12 million times since its launch during the pandemic.
Reports like this remind us the Lord’s Prayer – first delivered by our Lord, Jesus Christ – is still alive and needed in our chaotic world. Let us be encouraged that so many are familiar with the words God has given us to speak when our own fall short.
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