I was listening to an online Sunday service in the past week and they used this lovely narrative based on the Lord’s prayer – I asked if they would forward this and include it below.

Our Father, who art in heaven

You are not a distant sovereign, but a Father – ruling and reigning from a throne, but dispensing love and mercy to all who turn to you.

Hallowed be your name

May your name, all you represent, be held in honour and awe, as you deserve. May everything I am and do speak of your glory.

Your kingdom come

May all your kingdom values – love for one another, caring for the poor, righteous living, healing and deliverance – invade my society, my town, my street.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

In heaven, your perfection, your faithfulness, your total care, your best find full and free expression. On earth, these things are resisted by fallen men and women, and they are blind and lost as a result. Soften hard hearts and use me to be an instrument of righteous decisions.

Give us this day our daily bread

You hear what we desire, but you know what we need. Peace of mind doesn’t come from having tomorrow’s bread today: it comes from trusting you for new mercies every morning.

And forgive us our trespasses

I have sinned. Yet you promise the repentant sinner forgiveness – full, complete, free. What’s past is past; it has no hold on me.

As we forgive those who trespass against us

Forgiveness is tough to do, but the alternative binds my transgressor and cripples me. I may feel justified in refusing to forgive; but if I in my sinfulness insist on justifying myself, how can I be justified by you, the sinless One? Where the heart is concerned, forgiveness can never be a one-way street.

And lead us not into temptation

You know my limits and my weaknesses. When I begin to wander down that familiar path towards sin – whether through habit, weakness or sheer willfulness – speak to my heart, that core which hungers for righteousness and intimacy with you.

But deliver us from evil

I know I’m probably not my own worse enemy. So when the fiery darts come, and the lion prowls, give me faith to trust in the certain promise of your protection.

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, AMEN!