Our Father
(my Father)
which art in Heaven
(and everywhere on display)
Hallowed be thy name
(kept holy and set apart is your name)
Thy kingdom come
(right in the middle of where I am)
Thy will be done
(Yes, Lord. Now.)
on earth
(where we most need it)
as it is in Heaven.
(a place of unity with you.)
Give us this day our daily bread
(and keep me asking each new day)
And forgive us our debts
(as there will be many)
As we forgive our debtors
(along the way, every day).
And lead us not into temptation
(keep us safe from ourselves)
but deliver us from evil
(as you have done)
For thine is the kingdom
(the world belongs to you.)
and the glory
(let me shine for you)
and the power
(and yield to you)
Forever and ever.
(amen and)
Amen.
~~~~~
Nancy, this was a very fun exercise, to take a familiar passage and make it mine. We read Psalm 51 together over the weekend at a writer's workshop and re-wrote our own 'repentant Psalm.' It was very enlightening and freeing.
Indeed, Jody, your personal additions to the Lord's Prayer are powerful. I especially appreciated, “Thy kingdom come (right in the middle of where I am),” and “The glory and the power (Let me shine for you and yield to you).” Thank you for bringing freshness to these beloved, familiar words.
Really love this. powerful words.
There's power in simple prayer!