Lord, Teach Us How to Pray

In our church’s worship, we regularly recite the Lord’s Prayer. I think this is a positive addition that encourages worshippers of all ages to adopt a proper perspective on our relationship to God, God’s world, and our role in that world. The recitation of the Prayer also provides a sense of unity and connection with the universal church.

Author Brian McLaren has provided an alternative spoken version of the Lord’s Prayer that uses unfamiliar words and phrasing to help us to hear the message of the Prayer in a new way. McLaren suggests using it in public worship by having a leader recite a line, having the congregation echo it, and then leaving a moment of silence for reflection.

Our Father, above us and all around us,
May your unspeakable Name be revered.

Here to earth, may your kingdom come.
Here on earth, may your will be done as it is in heaven.

Give us today our bread for today.
And forgive us our wrongs as we forgive those who wrong us.

Lead us away from the time of trial.
But liberate us from the evil.

For the kingdom is yours and yours alone,
And the power is yours and yours alone,
And the glory is yours and yours alone.
Amen.

Comments

Anonymous said…

I like this a lot...glad I caught up on reading your blog! Peace.

12:28 PM

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