The Lord’s Prayer

There are lots of versions of the Lord’s Prayer. None of them are exactly what we find in the Bible. In fact, as we learned last week, even the two instances that it occurs in the Bible are different from one another. So, which one is right, and why do we change it?

Well, various versions have been developed for various reasons. Most often, a new version is created to help us better understand, within our own context, what we are saying. Sometimes, it is to use words that are more inclusive, or concepts that are more contemporary. Other times, it is a matter of weaving the intent of the prayer into the rituals of a culture, such as Indigenous Peoples.

Read through the following versions. Take your time. Take all of Lent, if you like. focus on one a week, or one a day. Use this as prayer time with your family. When you’re ready, answer the questions below. For an extra sermon point, write your own version that makes sense to you.

RETRANSLATION (FROM THE ARAMAIC)

O Breathing Life,

your Name shines everywhere!

Release a space to plant your Presence here.

Imagine your possibilities now.

Embody your desire in every light and form.

Grow through us this moment's bread and wisdom.

Untie the knots of failure binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others' faults.

Help us not forget our Source,

Yet free us from not being in the Present.

From you arises every Vision, Power and Song from gathering to gathering.

Amen - May our future actions grow from here!

PARKER J. PALMER Version

Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother,

Holy and blessed is your true name.

We pray for your reign of peace to come,

We pray that your good will be done,

Let heaven and earth become one.

Give us this day the bread we need,

Give it to those who have none.

Let forgiveness flow like a river between us,

From each one to each one.

Lead us to holy innocence

Beyond the evil of our days —

Come swiftly Mother, Father, come.

For yours is the power and the glory and the

mercy:

Forever your name is All in One

Dominican Sisters Version, 1993

Our Father,

            Our Mother,

Who art in heaven;

            Who are in all the earth;

Hallowed be thy name.

            Holy is your truth.

Thy kingdom come;

            May your wisdom come;

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

            Your circle be one uniting heaven and earth.

Give us this day our daily bread;

            Give us today a nurturing spirit;

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

            Heal through us as we ourselves are healed.

Lead us not into temptation,

            Lead us into Fullness of life,

But deliver us from evil;

            And liberate all that is good;

For thine is the Kingdom,

            For the Wisdom, the power and the glory, Presence and the goodness are Yours,

Now and forever. Amen.

Baby Bible Version

Greatest Father, God above

You are perfect, full of love.

Help me live my life your way,

Give me what I need today.

Please forgive me when I’m bad;

Teach me how to make you glad.

Give me strength to do what’s right;

Keep me safe both day and night.

FROM 'HUMAN RITES' BY WARD AND WILD.

"Beloved,

our Father and Mother,

in whom is heaven,

hallowed be your name,

followed be your royal way,

done be your will and rule,

throughout the whole creation.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

Now and forever.

Amen."

Eugene Petersen’s ‘The Message’ Version

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what's best --

As above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

You're in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You're ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Native American Version

Great Spirit, whose tepee is in the sky

            and whose hunting ground is the earth,

Mighty and Fearful are you called.

Ruler over storms, over men and birds and beasts

            have your way over all—

Find us this day our meat and corn,

            that we may be strong and brave.

And put aside from us our wicked ways

            as we put aside the bad works of them who do us wrong.

And let us not have such troubles

            as lead us into crooked roads,

but keep us from all evil.

For yours is all that is:

            the earth and the sky, the streams, the hills,

            and the valleys, the stars, the moon, and the sun,

            and all that live and breathe.

Sung Versions:

(Traditional):

“Baba Yetu” (Swahili)