Sermon for Sunday 24th July – Trinity 9

Our Gospel passage for today allows us space to consider prayer which seems to be simultaneously easy and extremely difficult. People often come to talk to me about their struggles with their spiritual life – prayer, belief, faith. I am always happy to help in these – and other matters. This is one of the most important aspects of a priest’s work – it is confidential and always a privilege.

The Lord’s prayer appears in both Matthew and Luke, but the context is different. In Matthew, the people seem to know how to pray but need a little further instruction – Jesus gives an extended discourse on the dos and don’ts of prayer – don’t use prayer to draw attention to yourself, don’t use long words to flatter God because he won’t be. In Luke, the people are at a loss and ask Jesus to show them how to pray. We can learn then, that, experienced prayer or beginner, the Lord’s prayer is the one for us.

In Luke, Jesus is talking to a group of people – the ‘you’ is plural and the implication is that this is a prayer that can be used together. In Matthew the emphasis seems to be on solitary, individual prayer. So, alone or together – the Lord’s prayer is the right prayer for us.

The trouble is we’ve said it so often we find it hard to give the words meaning – we’ve rattled it off before we’ve even realised. Sometimes a new version helps – these may stop us in our tracks. There is a more modern version available to us in the C of E. I don’t use this in our liturgy because of something I’ve often witnessed: keeping watch with those who are dying, I find that these traditional words to the Lord’s prayer are deeply embedded in the memory. When people seem to be completely unconscious, if I use the words of the Lord’s prayer, I see their lips begin to move as the person, hovering between life and death, joins with me to say these precious words. This is the value of a lifetime’s repetition – and maybe these words only acquire their deepest meaning when we prepare ourselves to meet God face to face. So I will be sticking with the traditional version in our life together as a Church.

However, it may be helpful, in our personal devotions, to ring the changes occasionally. So I’ve provided some alternative versions for you to have a look at. I would like us to consider these in small groups. Have a look through them and be prepared to share and words or phrases which strike you – are they helpful or unhelpful? Is there anything which stops you in your tracks?

As we break up into groups, please take care of each other. Be mindful or those who are shy and those who are fairly new here. ….

I invite you to take these sheets home with you after the service – you can cut them up and put bits different places, keep the whole sheet in a special place to use each day. Use them how you will – but please use them. Remember this is how Jesus himself taught us how to pray – these are precious words.

Here are the different versions of the Lord’s prayer

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best —

As above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

*****

Beloved, our Father and Mother,

in whom is heaven,

hallowed be your name,

followed be your royal way,

done be your will and rule,

throughout the whole creation.

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,

Strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, 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.

*****

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.

*****

Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days — Come swiftly Mother, Father, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy: Forever your name is All in One.

*****

O Breathing Life, your Name shines everywhere! Release a space to plant your Presence here. Imagine your possibilities now. Embody your desire in every light and form. Grow through us this moment’s bread and wisdom. Untie the knots of failure binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others’ faults. Help us not forget our Source, Yet free us from not being in the Present. From you arises every Vision, Power and Song from gathering to gathering. Amen – May our future actions grow from here!

*****

O most Compassionate Life-giver,
may we honour and praise you;
May we work with you to establish your new order of justice peace and love;
Give us what we need for growth,
And help us, through forgiving others, to accept forgiveness.
Strengthen us in the time of testing, that we may resist all evil,
For all tenderness, strength and love are yours, now and forever. Amen.


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