By Carol Dixon —
Last year when I was exploring the Lord’s Prayer for a service I was leading in a small church with elderly members in rural Northumberland we had a wonderful time sharing various versions of the prayer during the service.
As it was near Pentecost we said it together in various languages – French, German, Spanish and even Swahili as one of the families had learned it when they lived in Africa. I tried it in my halting Swedish which I am still struggling to learn. Sadly the lady who was fluent in Italian was on holiday. We said it together with a pause at the end of each line (to accommodate the differing lengths) and afterwards one of the people who had chosen to read it in modern English remarked that it was lovely to have time to think about the words. It also gave us a flavour of the variety of languages heard on the first day of Pentecost.
Later in the service I shared two other versions with them, one based on my reflection on some thoughts by Thomas Moore in his book ‘Writing in the sand’ and the other a translation from the Aramaic, both of which are below.
The Lord’s Prayer (By Carol Dixon based on Thomas Moore ‘Writing in the sand’)
Our Father of the heavens – source of the universe,
Father of all things across all galaxies, and loving parent of us all on Earth,
May we understand who you really are,
May the vision you have for each of us be realised,
May your deepest desires for each of us be fulfilled;
Feed us with the Bread of Life –
Ordinary food and drink to satisfy our hunger and thirst,
Spiritual sustenance to fill our souls and spirits;
Forgive us for the times we fall short of your loving ideals;
And keep us ever mindful of our need to forgive those
Who hurt us as freely and completely as you forgive us;
Keep our feet on the path you have set for us
So that we do not stray from your way of loving;
And deliver us from the demons that bedevil us
Personally in our own lives, and globally in our world;
For you have shown us a new way of living –
A kingdom we can inhabit wherever we are
And whatever circumstances we find ourselves in –
The kingdom of your powerful love, and peace, and glory,
Each day of our lives and throughout eternity. Yes!
Our Father (trans from Aramaic by an unknown writer)
Our cosmic Father from whom the breath of life comes
Who fills all realms of light and sound and resonance.
Your heavenly domain approaches.
May your light be experienced in utmost holiness.
Let your will come true in the universe (all that vibrates)
As on earth (all that is material and dense).
Give us wisdom (understanding assistance) for our daily need.
Detach the fetters of fault that bind us
As we let go the guilt of others.
Let us not be lost in superficial things (common material temptations)
But let us be freed from what keeps us from our true purpose.
From you comes all the working will – the lively strength to act.
This song beautifies and renews itself from age to age
Sealed in trust faith and truth. (Amen)
I also discovered this lovely version of it from YouTube:
All this inspired some of the people to try writing their own takes on it later. Maybe you would like to as well?
The Church on the Green, Stamfordham, Northumberland, UK
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need.
Forgive us for doing wrong,
as we forgive others.
Keep us from being tempted
and protect us from evil.
The kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours forever. Amen.
By Ash Knepper—
Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.” It’s such a beautiful verse and we all know it so well. But it’s such a hard concept in practice, isn’t it? How often have you managed to be still and just know that God is God and all the wonderfulness that such a reality encompasses.
It’s a really hard concept for most of us to cover our mouth and say nothing in our current situations, to not try to intervene, but instead simply sit in God’s presence. It seems counter product on all fronts. Most of us want to act, do, resolve, and SPEAK right now. But God wants to teach us to close our mouth, hold our tongue, wait patiently on Him, to be still and know that He is God.
At times it seems to be one of the most challenging commandments the Lord gives us. In the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the pain, in the valley of valleys, in the heart of the storm, when our heart is breaking and fear is overpowering, when we feel we’re drowning beneath the waters—that’s when He wants us to stop, to meditate, to give it all to Him. To pour out our heart to Him…. and that’s it. Surrender everything, let go of control, leave at His feet and then turn our eyes to Him, and Him only, and sit and savor His presence, give Him the glory, rest in the fact and KNOW He is God!
Sometimes it seems nearly an impossible task—especially considering some of the circumstances some of us might be enduring. Yet it’s what God wants from us. In fact, it’s more than that, it’s what He knows we need.
So often my mind is running in a thousand different directions, so many thoughts, so many concerns, so much anxiety…
Be still, Ash, shut your mouth, quiet your heart, stop running to your husband or your friends, stop complaining, nagging, worrying, slow down, breath, BE STILL, Know that I am GOD.
Pour out your concerns and your worries, your anxieties, your hurts that aren’t healed, your problems that aren’t being fixed, your absolutely unknown future, lay them at Jesus’ feet and trust that He’ll take them all up in His mighty hands and that He’ll make you into a better person, a better wife, a better follower of Him. He’ll solve your problems and ease your fears, He’ll sort out your future and heal your broken heart… You need only to trust that if you be still, if you pour out your heart before Him and seek out no other fix in your own strength, if you stop and wait in the quiet… He will meet you.
He’s the answer to everything you’re struggling with.And that’s what comes from obeying this command—from being still enough to hear His very presence—it’s the realization that He IS God. There is nothing too big for Him, there is no distance His love can’t reach, His heart is for you not against you, His plans are good towards you, to give you a future and a hope. He is a good, good Father. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. And the happiest place you’ll ever find yourself, the place where you’ll feel the most safe, the most loved, the most free—is in His presence. When you let go, releasing the concerns of your life and set your eyes on the One who calls you Beloved. The one who is God.
Ash Knepper is an American novelist who writes Christian romance novels. She grew up in Europe and later moved to the Middle East with her husband where they did humanitarian work. Upon moving back to America she dedicated her time to writing books that would encourage and inspire people in their walks with the Lord. Ash currently lives in Seattle with her husband and son. You can follow along with Ash on Instagram @the.kneppers
By June Friesen —
Dare to Dream
Ah – Could it be? Really? God could it actually be a reality?
Believe? What a real struggle it is to believe.
Faith: It is the antidote to apply?
God – you give visions and challenges that are way beyond believing –
That are somehow unexplainable – but then explainable – – –
Yet when one dares to sit with you – Wow!
The Spirit prods and probes within –
Causing one to actually dream the impossible –
Yet reality within responds asking: “How can this be?” much like the mother of Jesus.
Lord to have faith like Mary, and respond, “I am your servant Lord.”
God, as I embrace the wonder of each sunrise and each sunset as well as the wonders around me,
May it be the beginning of embracing new wonders within me today.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-4 (NLT)
“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So, let your words be few. Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.”
Often times it is easy to make quick comments/promises to God. Sometimes it is to appease someone who continually nags us with ‘if you just followed God.’ Conditions and results are often added on to this phrase whether to make the one saying them feel good or hoping to make the one hearing them, feel good. Or one may hear and/or say something similar to this, “If I/you just prayed more, if I/you just read the Bible more, if you/I did this or that, didn’t do this or that…”
Often times what happens is we get so too encumbered with words, meanings and ideas whether ours or someone else’s. I would like to give this challenge today – look at the wonders around you today but not only today – rather every day. Ponder what God is revealing to you, saying to you, challenging you to move towards.
Dare to dream…..dare to fly…..dare to make a new beginning….dare to ____…
GET HIGH ON GOD!
And you will fly like a bird on wings!
by Christine Sine
Last week in my post Learning to Breathe with God I shared a section from my book Return to Our Senses where I first talked about the importance of breath prayers. These have become increasingly important for me over the years yet I must confess that in the last few years though I have written more breath prayers than ever before, I have actually used the YAHWEH breathing exercise less. And that I am realizing has left a big hole in my heart (or maybe in my lungs). Every breath we take is indeed a breathing in and out of the name of God. Wow, that is incredible and we so take it for granted.
Deep breathing is important for our physical and spiritual bodies. As we age there can be a 20% reduction in blood oxygen levels due to normal shallow breathing. Practicing deep abdominal breathing for five minutes several times a day where we consciously fill our lungs using all our abdominal and thoracic muscles reduces stress, calms our souls and reduces our risk of heart and respiratory disease.
Learning to breathe properly, not just allowing breath to fill lungs but also to fill our souls as we breathe in the loving presence of God is a wonderful way to strengthen our physical and spiritual bodies. And it only takes a few minutes a day.
Breathing in and out the name of God YAHWEH is one of the most beautiful breathing exercises I have discovered and I value Richard Rohr who introduced me to it. Since my meditation last week I have started using it again in the morning and again in the evening before I go to bed and I heartily recommend the practice to you. I am also eagerly awaiting the delivery of our new breath cards which you can preorder until February 20th at a discount price.
One of the cards introduces a new prayer that I wrote in response to the YHWH prayer:
I have also been watching this breathing meditation again. One of my favorites and the sound of water in the background I find very relaxing. Enjoy, and don’t forget to pre-order your cards as well.
Each week over the next couple of months we hope to provide a different version of the Lord’s Prayer for you to reflect on and be inspired by. Some retranslations, some are more interpretive reflections that have been inspired by the prayer. All of them I hope will stir your hearts and your minds to pray and maybe to write your own version of the prayer.
I thought we would start with a couple of my favorites which I have posted before but which I never tire of.
Lord’s prayer from the New Zealand Prayer book.
Eternal Spirit
Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all.
Loving God, in whom is heaven.
The hallowing of your name echoes through
the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the earth!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
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, 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.
Aboriginal Our Father
This prayer comes from Australia and and has the Aboriginal flag which is very different from the usual Australian flag, as its background.
You are our Father, You live in Heaven, we talk to You, Father You are good. (repeat)
We believe Your word, Father, we’re Your children, give us bread today. (repeat)
We have done wrong, we are sorry, help us Father not to sin again. (repeat)
Others have done wrong to us and we are sorry for them, Father, today. (repeat)
Stop us from doing wrong, Father, save us all from the evil one. (repeat)
You are our Father, You live in Heaven, we talk to You, Father You are good. (repeat)
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By Lilly Lewin
Lent begins this year on February 17th, 2021 on Ash Wednesday. So we have a month to consider how we want to fall more in love with Jesus over the forty days of the Lenten season. I think we need to consider just where we are and how we are doing spiritually as we begin the journey of Lent. Here is a prayer station I like to use as we begin our Lenten Journey. This station can also be a a meditation/reflection to do as you consider where you are on your journey with Jesus today or any time. It can be a refection you do as a family around a centerpiece at dinner, or as a closing at your small group or youth group. It also could be created for your entire church community. The elements, the bowls of symbols, could be up front and as people came up for communion, they could put their symbols into a large bowl of water before receiving the bread and wine. Or the station could be multiplied around the worship space so everyone could pray with the elements at the same time following a sermon or talk.
Supplies Needed:
Large Bowl of Water
Bowl of Sand
Bowl of stones or rocks (enough for everyone present)
Bowl of kitchen sponges ( you can buy at the dollar store and cut in smaller pieces according to the size of your group.
Prepare you Heart for the Journey
We have the opportunity to go on an amazing Journey with Jesus ove the next 40 days, the seaon of Lent. But before anyone starts a journey, they must get ready. They must prepare.
How are you feeling today?
How is your heart?
Is it soft like a sponge ready to absorb more of God?
Is it more like a rock, feeling heavy and weighted down?
Is your heart like dry sand, a desert in need of water?
Is your soul in need of refreshment?
As you begin your journey, Choose a symbol of where your heart is today:
SPONGE=wanting to absorb more of God
ROCK=feeling weighed down, in need of help
HANDFUL OF SAND=feeling dry and in need of refreshment
NOW put your symbol in the Water
Jesus is the Living Water!
Allow him to refresh you!
Allow Jesus to prepare your heart for the Journey of Lent.
Allow Jesus to heal you.
Allow Jesus to forgive you.
Jesus know and love you just as you are! Ask Jesus to help you prepare for the Journey!
You can have extra sponges, rocks, and sand so participants can take home a symbol, or have just extra sponges for everyone to take home so they can be reminded that they can absorb more of God each day.
When you see or use a sponge to clean the dishes or wipe up a spill, remember that Jesus want to refresh you with his living water each day of your journey.
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
By June Friesen —
GET HIGH ON GOD
The talk of the world –
The talk of the community –
The talk of people all ages, races and places –
Let us get high and have a good time!
Some get high on comfort food,
Some get high on illegal food –
Namely alcohol or drugs hoping for a better mood –
But the question is: why not get high on God?
The talk of one who knows peace and satisfaction
Should be that which offers a high like no other –
A high given only when one is totally full of the Spirit –
Infilled, infused, empowered and endued!
Some may find the fullness of the Spirit comes
From those quiet and alone moments with God –
Others may find it when with dear Christian sister or brother –
And still another may find it when uplifted by worshipful song and praise!
Get high on God today –
It will keep the enemy at bay –
Do not allow for any delay –
There may not be another day –
As life may quickly be snatched away –
Just let God show you the way!
Ephesians 3:18-20 (NLT)
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think”.
When I am out and about in the world of people I often here the term ‘get high.’ At times I wonder who, if anyone, really understands or has a definition of what that phrase really entails or means. I suspect that for every person the meaning is different. It depends on one’s life’s experience, past and/or present and possibly how involved and/or uninvolved one was/is in those experiences. In our world we somehow seem to expect that life should be good or better and some may even think that it should be the ‘best’ because of what they have or have not done or because of who they are and/or where they live. From the perspective of these verses it would seem that God desires that it is in Him we find fullness of life, in Him we would find the ‘high’ that we need to get through this life here on this earth. It is indeed that which would help us accomplish God’s plan in and through us for this day as well as every day.
So may I encourage you….may I invite you…..the best ‘high’ in life today is ‘to get high on/with God’. Will you join this journey today?
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