We find this request from Jesus’ disciples in Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2 and his response is well known. How many times have you said what we now call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’? How many books have you read or sermons have you heard, expounding the words, dissecting their meaning? Whilst all of this has its place I ponder from time to time how Jesus would respond to the way we have, or are in danger of, calcifying his specific words. Was he issuing a prescription or providing guide-lines, nudging us towards a lifegiving way of communicating?
Whichever it was, I suggest that the following exercise has its merit in making use of the pattern, but bringing it into our own time and space. Formulating our own words from and for our present moment, can help us dig deeper into the prayer. So as you begin, I invite you to slowly think through the familiar words:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Now take some time to write your own version using this as a pattern. Ponder what each line – or set of lines – might mean for you, in your present circumstances and moment of faith. Take time to choose words which reflect this. For example, as you begin, how does your heart want to address the divine today? How could you frame ‘other-ness’? And so on.
You might like to take a few lines a day and work on the prayer over a period of time – whatever works best for you.
Here are two examples which may prompt your thinking. The first chooses to use few words. This can have the benefit of concentrating the meaning, digging
down to the bottom of what we want to say:
The everywhere and everything
You are beyond words
Oh that the world was as you meant it to be
Oh that the world lived according to your design of love – as you have always longed for it to be
Please will you grace us with what we need to help us live aright
We’re sorry for the mistakes we’ve made
Teach us not to hold other’s mistakes in bitterness
Continually open our eyes to your pathway
By accompanying us, keep us safe in the midst of everything that is thrown in our path
For it all belongs to you, and it’s all for you
And it always will be
Thank you
The second is longer, attempting to express more of the breadth of purpose:
Who dwells in the everywhere of existence; sometimes hidden but always present.
To voice your otherness, beyond and forever-ness, leaves me tongue-tied and silent; deeply awed by the nature of your indescribable eternity.
May the nature of your kindness be glimpsed in every corner of relationship, exchange and interaction.
May the anger and power-grasping nature of our humanity be repainted in the vibrance of your peaceful pallet.
May the way of love, acceptance and service, shine brighter in the darker corners of this world.
Grant me a realistic perspective on what I want and what I need, turning my attention to both gratitude as well as an awareness of the desperation of others.
Give me a generous and smiling heart.
Teach me to measure my thoughts, words and deeds by the plumbline of love.
Keep me mindful that I walk with others as broken as I am, teach me to nurture compassion when their sharp edges hurt.
May I live with eyes opened wide to the implications of the choices I make.
May I always listen to the whisper of wisdom.
All these I bring to you with a heart as open as I know how, trusting that you see; you know; and you are God.
Amen
You will notice the first is written in to be shared with others (we/our) and the second more personal (I/my). This shows another variation that you might consider, depending on how specific to yourself you would like to make it. Neither prayer or form is preferable, each offered as a prompt. Feel free to ignore them as you write your own.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™