Daddy: iPadre podcast episode

Listen to a Catholic priest explain the Lord's Prayer here. Reflections on the prayer begin 15 minutes into the episode.

Three Hermits Video

A video based on Leo Tolstoy's short story Thee Hermits.

Byzantine Art - Oche Nach

A slide show of Byzantine art on Orthodox Choir music: OTCHE NACH (The Lords prayer)of the Great Slavonic Orthodox Liturgy.

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius mentions the "Our Father" 22 times. (The first exercise of each webpage of the text is linked, with those after also on that same page.)

Daily Ways to Pray: Week Nineteen

Day Two
Matthew, chapter 6. Good ideas from Jesus. Say the "Our Father" slowly -- think on each word.

Spiritual Exercises 252
Matthew 6


[SPEX43]
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN

It contains in it five Points.

First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.

Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.

Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.

Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.

Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace. OUR FATHER.


[SPEX54]
The Colloquy is made, properly speaking, as one friend speaks to another, or as a servant to his master; now asking some grace, now blaming oneself for some misdeed, now communicating one's affairs, and asking advice in them. And let me say an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX61]
Colloquy. Let me finish with a Colloquy of mercy, pondering and giving thanks to God our Lord that He has given me life up to now, proposing amendment, with His grace, for the future. OUR FATHER.


[SPEX63]
First Colloquy. The first Colloquy to Our Lady, that she may get me grace from Her Son and Lord for three things: first, that I may feel an interior knowledge of my sins, and hatred of them; second, that I may feel the disorder of my actions, so that, hating them, I may correct myself and put myself in order; third, to ask knowledge of the world, in order that, hating it, I may put away from me worldly and vain things. And with that a HAIL MARY.

Second Colloquy. The second: The same to the Son, begging Him to get it for me from the Father. And with that the SOUL OF CHRIST.

Third Colloquy. The third: The same to the Father, that the Eternal Lord Himself may grant it to me. And with that an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX71]
Colloquy. Making a Colloquy to Christ our Lord, I will bring to memory the souls that are in Hell, some because they did not believe the Coming, others because, believing, they did not act according to His Commandments; making three divisions:

First, Second, and Third Divisions. The first, before the Coming; the second, during His life; the third, after His life in this world; and with this I will give Him thanks that He has not let me fall into any of these divisions, ending my life. Likewise, I will consider how up to now He has always had so great pity and mercy on me. I will end with an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX75]
Third Addition. The third: A step or two before the place where I have to contemplate or meditate, I will put myself standing for the space of an OUR FATHER, my intellect raised on high, considering how God our Lord is looking at me, etc.; and will make an act of reverence or humility.


[SPEX109]
Colloquy. At the end a Colloquy is to be made, thinking what I ought to say to the Three Divine Persons, or to the Eternal Word incarnate, or to our Mother and Lady, asking according to what I feel in me, in order more to follow and imitate Our Lord, so lately incarnate. I will say an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX117]
Colloquy. I will finish with a Colloquy as in the preceding Contemplation, and with an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX118]
THE THIRD CONTEMPLATION

WILL BE A REPETITION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND EXERCISE

After the Preparatory Prayer and the three Preludes, the repetition of the first and second Exercise will be made, noting always some more principal parts, where the person has felt some knowledge, consolation or desolation, making likewise one Colloquy at the end, and saying an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX126]
Colloquy. One has to finish with one Colloquy as in the first and second Contemplation, and with an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX147]
First Colloquy. One Colloquy to Our Lady, that she may get me grace from Her Son and Lord that I may be received under His standard; and first in the highest spiritual poverty, and -- if His Divine Majesty would be served and would want to choose and receive me -- not less in actual poverty; second, in suffering contumely and injuries, to imitate Him more in them, if only I can suffer them without the sin of any person, or displeasure of His Divine Majesty; and with that a HAIL MARY.

Second Colloquy. I will ask the same of the Son, that He may get it for me of the Father; and with that say the SOUL OF CHRIST.

Third Colloquy. I will ask the same of the Father, that He may grant it to me; and say an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX198]
Colloquy. I will finish with a Colloquy to Christ our Lord, and, at the end, with an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX225]
Colloquy. I will finish with a Colloquy, or Colloquies, according to the subject matter, and an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX237]
Fourth Point. The fourth, to look how all the good things and gifts descend from above, as my poor power from the supreme and infinite power from above; and so justice, goodness, pity, mercy, etc.; as from the sun descend the rays, from the fountain the waters, etc. Then to finish reflecting on myself, as has been said. I will end with a Colloquy and an OUR FATHER.


[SPEX241]
For the first Method of Prayer, it is well to consider and think on the First Commandment, how I have kept it and in what I have failed, keeping to the rule of spending the space of time one says the OUR FATHER and the HAIL MARY three times; and if in this time I find faults of mine, to ask pardon and forgiveness for them, and say an OUR FATHER. Let this same method be followed on each one of the Ten Commandments.


[SPEX248]
Note. Whoever wants to imitate Christ our Lord in the use of his senses, let him in the Preparatory Prayer recommend himself to His Divine Majesty, and after considering on each sense, say a HAIL MARY or an OUR FATHER. And whoever wants to imitate Our Lady in the use of the senses, let him in the Preparatory Prayer recommend himself to her, that she may get him grace from Her Son and Lord for it; and after considering on each sense, say a HAIL MARY.


[SPEX252]
Second Method of Prayer. The Second Method of Prayer is that the person, kneeling or seated, according to the greater disposition in which he finds himself and as more devotion accompanies him, keeping the eyes closed or fixed on one place, without going wandering with them, says FATHER, and is on the consideration of this word as long as he finds meanings, comparisons, relish and consolation in considerations pertaining to such word. And let him do in the same way on each word of the OUR FATHER, or of any other prayer which he wants to say in this way.


[SPEX253]
First Rule. The first Rule is that he will be an hour on the whole OUR FATHER in the manner already mentioned. Which finished, he will say a HAIL MARY, CREED, SOUL OF CHRIST, and HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, vocally or mentally, according to the usual way.


[SPEX254]
Second Rule. The Second Rule is that, should the person who is contemplating the OUR FATHER find in one word, or in two, matter so good to think over, and relish and consolation, let him not care to pass on, although the hour ends on what he finds. The hour finished, he will say the rest of the OUR FATHER in the usual way.


[SPEX255]
Third Rule. The third is that if on one word or two of the OUR FATHER one has lingered for a whole hour, when he will want to come back another day to the prayer, let him say the above-mentioned word, or the two, as he is accustomed; and on the word which immediately follows let him commence to contemplate, according as was said in the second Rule.


[SPEX256]
First Note. It is to be noted that, the OUR FATHER finished, in one or in many days, the same has to be done with the HAIL MARY and then with the other prayers, so that for some time one is always exercising himself in one of them.


[SPEX258]
THIRD METHOD OF PRAYER

It will be by rhythm.

Addition. The Addition will be the same as in the First and Second Methods of Prayer.

Prayer. The Preparatory Prayer will be as in the Second Method of Prayer.

Third Method of Prayer. The Third Method of Prayer is that with each breath in or out, one has to pray mentally, saying one word of the OUR FATHER, or of another prayer which is being recited: so that only one word be said between one breath and another, and while the time from one breath to another lasts, let attention be given chiefly to the meaning of such word, or to the person to whom he recites it, or to his own baseness, or to the difference from such great height to his own so great lowness. And in the same form and rule he will proceed on the other words of the OUR FATHER; and the other prayers, that is to say, the HAIL MARY, the SOUL OF CHRIST, the CREED, and the HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, he will make as he is accustomed.

The Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus

Ground of all being,
Mother of life, Father of the universe,
Your name is sacred, beyond speaking.
May we know your presence,
may your longings be our longings in heart and in action.
May there be food for the human family today
and for the whole earth community.
Forgive us the falseness of what we have done
as we forgive those who are untrue to us.
Do not forsake us in our time of conflict
but lead us into new beginnings.
For the light of life, the vitality of life, and the glory of life
are yours now and for ever.
Amen

Written by J. Philip Newell, text reprinted from GhostRanch.org.

The prayer is printed with color photos of the New Mexico landscape as Ground Of All Being: The Prayer Of Jesus In Color.

You can find the score to chant the prayer, composed by David Poole, here.

R father (Pater Noster SMS)

rejesus held a competition for the best text message version of the Lord's Prayer. Here's one of the winners.

Gzus said…
dad@hvn,ur spshl.
we want wot u want &urth2b like hvn.
giv us food&4giv r sins lyk we 4giv uvaz.
don’t test us! save us! bcos we kno ur boss, ur tuf&ur cool 4 eva!ok?

The Value of Repitition

While many have said it is not helpful to merely repeat the Lord's Prayer without meditating on it's meaning, I think there is value in the words by themselves. Sometimes repetition can bring us into a more prayerful attitude. This may not be the case for everyone, but this video reminds us that there can be a place for just the words alone.

The Lord's Prayer from blaine hogan on Vimeo.

Lord's Prayer Gregorian Chant Video

Inclusive Bible Translation

Abba God in heaven,
hallowed be your name!
May your reign come;
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven:
give us today
the bread of Tomorrow.
And forgive us our debts as we hereby forgive those
who are indebted to us.
Don't put us to the test,
but free us from evil.

Matthew 6:9-13 from The Inclusive Bible, First Egalitarian Translation

The Lord's Prayer in Modern Context

Dramatic Reading

The Lord's Prayer from Biltmore Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Marvin Gaye - The Lord's Prayer

Marvin Gaye - The Lord's Prayer
Uploaded by camron46. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Chanting the Pater Noster with Pope Benedict XVI

Parallelism

Parallelism is a prominent feature of biblical poetry and prayer. The Pater Noster is no different, with six parallel phrases.

[Our Father]

[in heaven,]
[hallowed be]

[your name.]

[Your kingdom] [come,]

[your will] [be done,]

[on earth]

as [in heaven.]

[Give] [us today]

[our daily (tomorrow's)] [bread.]

[Forgive us]

[our sins]

as [we forgive]

[those who sin against us.]

[Lead us not into] [temptation]

and [deliver us from] [evil.]

For [the kingdom,]

[the power,]

and [the glory] are yours

[now] and

[for ever.]

"The Message" Paraphrase

Here is a paraphrase from The Message.

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.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

Lord's Prayer Orthodox Plain Chant Video

Here is a video of a congregation chanting the Lord's Prayer in worship, perhaps the most powerful expression of the prayer possible.

"Devotion to" the Lord's Prayer?

I use the phrase "devotion to the Lord's Prayer" in this blog, and was wondering if it could mean the same as "devotion to the Virgin Mary" for instance. I'm not that familiar with Catholic terminology, but I like to think that a desire to pray a certain prayer could be named a "devotion to" that prayer. There seem to be no recognized or formalized devotion to the Pater Noster in any tradition, other than reciting it, or perhaps reading what others have written about it. I believe that there is much to be gained from exploring the rich depths of this prayer over a lifetime, and through a great variety of practices, just as those devoted to Mary or to Jesus' Sacred Heart might find in their traditions.

Here are a few instances of "devotion" from the Catholic context that I think help to make this case.

An entry for "devotion" at CatholicReference.net reads,

The disposition of will to do promptly what concerns the worship and service of God. Although devotion is primarily a disposition or attitude of the will, acts of the will that proceed from such disposition are also expressions of devotion. Essential to devotion is readiness to do whatever gives honor to God, whether in public or private prayer (worship) or in doing the will of God (service). A person who is thus disposed is said to be devoted. His devotedness is ultimately rooted in a great love for God, which in spiritual theology is often called devotion. (Etym. Latin devotio, state, act, or expression of being devoted; from devovere, to vow.)

From the Catholic Catechism

1437 Reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.

2785...[The prayer is accomplished] by the contemplation of God alone, and by the warmth of love, through which the soul, molded and directed to love him, speaks very familiarly to God as to its own Father with special devotion.

See also "Popular Devotions" at New Advent.

The Gospel and Didache Texts of the Lord's Prayer

This chart from The Lord's Prayer: A Text in Tradition shows the evolution of the Lord's Prayer in the three texts it appears in, plus parallels in the gospel of John. The Didache and Matthew are from roughly the same time and place. Luke and John came later. The Didache presents the prayer as a liturgical prayer (as well as a private prayer to be recited three times a day), which could explain its addition of the ending doxology in contrast to Matthew and Luke, who present it mostly as a personal prayer.

Line	Matthew 6:9-13	Luke 11:2-4	Didache	John
1	Our Father who is in the heavens	Father	Our Father who is in heaven	17:1, 3 17:11, 21, 24-25
2	may your name be hallowed	may your name be hallowed	may your name be hallowed	17:11-12 17:26
3	May your kingdom come.	May your kingdom come.	May your kingdom come.	17:1-2
4	May your will come to pass as in heaven also on earth.		May your will come to pass as in heaven also on earth.	17:4
5	Our bread for the morrow (?) give us today	Our bread for the morrow (?) give us each day	Our bread for the morrow (?) give us today	6:32-35
6	and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors	and forgive us our sins as we also forgive everyone indebted to us;	and forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors;	17:17
7	and do not lead us into test,	and do not lead us into test.	And do not lead us into test,	17:11-15
8	but rescue us from the evil one (?).		but rescue us from the evil one (?).	17:15
9			for yours is the power and the glory for ever. Amen.

A Contemporary Lord's Prayer Song for Worship

Brian McLaren shares a version of the Lord's Prayer for use in faith communities and private prayer.

"Your supreme and good and just rule"

O God, far above and beyond our grasp,
  yet close to us like a parent:
Let the time come soon
  when you are recognized by all as God.
That is, when you establish
  your supreme and good and just rule
  over your whole creation.
Yes, let the time come soon
  when your gracious plan for salvation
  becomes a reality on earth
  as it now is in heaven.
While we wait for that day,
  let us already now enjoy
  the foretaste of the messianic banquet
  as we share in the bread that sustains our bodies.
In order to make us worthy of that community,
  forgive us what we have done wrong
    to our brothers and sisters
  as we have already forgiven those who did wrong to us;
  for we know that we are and must be
  the mutually forgiven community,
  your community of these end times.
And see to it that we are not tested beyond our strength,
  for we know that Satan can destroy us--
  unless you rescue us out of his ferocious grip.

    by Krister Stendahl, in The Kingdom On Its Way

Choral Performance of the Lord's Prayer

Native American Sing Langauge Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer is spoken in hundreds of languages, but there are other languages than those that are vocal. In this video, John Denver re-creates the Pater Noster in American Indian sign language, used when people of differing dialects gathered.

The Lord's Prayer in Hebrew, Latin, Middle English & Spanish

Pater Noster Latin Chant Video

This video provides the Latin chant and words of the Pater Noster, along with their English translation.



Here is a webpage containing an audio recording of a Latin chant, along with musical notation of the same tune as on the video.

The Lord's Prayer Corrected (if mission is stricken)

It is crucial that we not forget that the words of the Pater Noster are not meant only for our private devotion, but also to be said out loud, in public, such as in worship. Reciting the Lord's Prayer in a community of other followers of Jesus recommits us to service in the world on behalf of God's reign. Otherwise, we do dishonor to the prayer itself, as is illustrated in this "corrected" version of the Lord's Prayer, reposted from Dave Hackett's Frontier Blog:

This creative and deadly insightful version of The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) appeared in the 1912 missionary publication, The Korea Mission Field. My thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Moffett for spotting this gem. I've reproduced it as it was printed.

THE LORD'S PRAYER CORRECTED

For the use of the man who doesn't believe in Missions.

Our Father Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done on Earth
As it is in Heaven.
Give us (me) this day our (my) daily bread.
And forgive us (me) our (my) debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us (me) not into temptation,
But deliver us (me) from evil:*
For Thine is the Kingdom,
And the power,
And the glory,
Forever. Amen.

____________________
* Interestingly, the 1912 version didn't strike the words "from evil" (which I have). Perhaps in 1912 an acknowledgement of evil was so pervasive no one would have linked it with mission?

Video: How to Say the Lord's Prayer

Here is a good video that explains the differences between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions of the Lord's Prayer, plus some simple reminders to say it prayerfully.

A Lord's Prayer Music Video

Here is a music video of the Lord's Prayer that brings the prayers of the 21st century into conversation with the words of Jesus prayed in multiple languages.

"Approach God daily with these few words"

Martin Luther explains that we have no excuse but to pray the Pater Noster.

After having denounced showy and meaningless prayers, Christ introduced a splendid short prayer of his own. With it, he instructed us on how to pray and what we should pray for. He gave us a prayer that touches upon a variety of needs. By themselves, these needs should compel us to approach God daily with these few easily remembered words. No one can excuse themselves from saying they don't know how to pray or what to pray for.

The Lord's Prayer is the finest prayer that anyone could have ever thought up or that was ever sent from heaven. Because God gave Jesus the words for the prayer and sent him to introduce it, we know beyond a doubt that his prayer pleases God immensely.

Adapted from Reflections on the Lord's Prayer.

Festival of Angela of Foligno

Blessed Angela of Foligno, whose feast day is January 4, founded the Third Order of Saint Francis, and wrote these words regarding the Lord's Prayer.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, while living on earth as man, gave us this glorious example of prayer for us to follow. He taught us how to pray in word and deed in many way. Through words, he advised us to pray, when he told his disciples, ' Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation '. And in many places in the Gospel we find him instructing us in this venerable prayer, and how he let us know that it is most dear to him, by recommending it again and again. Loving us with all his heart, he wanted us never to neglect this blessed prayer, which Jesus himself would pray, so that we would be drawn by his example to love this above all others. . . Put this mirror before your eyes and study with all your being how to have this prayer, that he himself prayed for you, not for himself. He was also teaching us how to pray when he said, 'Father, if thou wilt, take from me this chalice, but nevertheless thy will be done, not mine '. See how Christ always willed the divine will, not his own, and make this your example. He also taught us to pray when he said ' Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit'. What more? All his life was prayer, because he was always manifesting God and himself. Did Christ pray in vain? Why then, do you neglect prayer when without prayer you can have nothing? Jesus Christ, true God and man, prayed for you, not for himself, so you could have a true example of prayer to follow. If you want something, you must pray, for without prayer you can obtain nothing.

She also advised that one not speed through the prayer, but consider the words deeply with each recitation.

Saint Kevin and the Blackbird

There is a story of the Irish Saint Kevin (whose feast day is June 3, nearly six months to the day of Blessed Angela of Foligno's festival on January 4) in which Kevin was standing in prayer, with his arms in the form of a cross, when he saw a bird land on his outstretched hand. He decided to stay still so as not to disturb the bird who built a nest in his hand. Kevin remained still, according to the story, long enough for the mother to lay her eggs, hatch them, and wait for the fledglings to fly from the nest. All the while, he was fed by the bird.

Here is a photo of a statue of St. Kevin at prayer, holding the mother bird, in Ireland.




There is reason to believe this story refers to the early Celtic monastic tradition of the Shrine of Piety, in which one stands in with arms outstretched in the form of a cross, and recites the Lord's Prayer. Here is a description from a historic Celtic prayerbook.

The Shrine of Piety, from A Celtic Breviary (Paragraph 6 Teaching of Maelrúain of Tallaght)

Standing facing the East with both hands raised to Heaven and clear of vesture say:

The Divine Prayer
Our Father, Who art in the Heavens,
hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors
and lead us not into temptation but
deliver us from evil. Amen.

O God come to my assistance,
O Lord make haste to help me.


O God come to my assistance,
O Lord make haste to help me.


O God come to my assistance,
O Lord make haste to help me.



Make the Sign of the Cross with the right hand to the East.

Turn and repeat to each of the other three directions. After again turning to the East, repeat the Divine Prayer and the three repetitions of "O Lord come to my assistance..." for all four directions with face bent down toward the ground, standing erect only to make the Sign of the Cross in each direction.

After again turning to East, repeat the Divine Prayer and the three repetitions of "O Lord come to my assistance..." for all four directions with face raised to Heaven, looking ahead only to make the Sign of the Cross in each direction.

Therefore the Divine Prayer is repeated twelve times, "O Lord come to my assistance..." is repeated thirty six times and the Sign of the Cross is made twelve times.

Saint Kevin's tireless stance in prayer is memorialized in this hymn in his honor.

With hymns of praise let us all bless the noble Kevin, who by his godly love poureth divine grace into the hearts of those who honor him; for he dwelleth now with the saints and angels in heaven, where he standeth before the throne of the Most High, praying unceasingly for us all.

Tolstoy's "Three Hermits"

Leo Tolstoy's story, Three Hermits, reminds us that while we may desire to pray as Jesus taught, it is not entirely necessary that we get the words exactly right. It is instead our intention that matters most.

A bishop was sailing from Archangel to the Solovétsk Monastery; and on the same vessel were a number of pilgrims on their way to visit the shrines at that place. The voyage was a smooth one. The wind favourable, and the weather fair. The pilgrims lay on deck, eating, or sat in groups talking to one another. The Bishop, too, came on deck, and as he was pacing up and down, he noticed a group of men standing near the prow and listening to a fisherman who was pointing to the sea and telling them something. The Bishop stopped, and looked in the direction in which the man was pointing. He could see nothing however, but the sea glistening in the sunshine. He drew nearer to listen, but when the man saw him, he took off his cap and was silent. The rest of the people also took off their caps, and bowed.

'Do not let me disturb you, friends,' said the Bishop. 'I came to hear what this good man was saying.'

'The fisherman was telling us about the hermits,' replied one, a tradesman, rather bolder than the rest.

'What hermits?' asked the Bishop, going to the side of the vessel and seating himself on a box. 'Tell me about them. I should like to hear. What were you pointing at?'

'Why, that little island you can just see over there,' answered the man, pointing to a spot ahead and a little to the right. 'That is the island where the hermits live for the salvation of their souls.'

Read the rest here, or download the audiobook here.

Also, see this video.

St. Francis' Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer

There is a long tradition of paraphrasing the prayer of Jesus. Many are available online, such as the one below. Consider writing your own paraphrase.


Here is a video rendition of Francis' paraphrase. Below is an older English translation.



A PARAPHRASE OF THE LORD'S PRAYER, by St. Francis of Assisi

Our Father: Most Holy, our Creator and Redeemer, our Savior and our Comforter.

Who art in Heaven: in the angels and the saints. Who gives them light so that they may have knowledge, because Thou, Lord, are Light. Who inflames them so that they may love, because Thou, Lord, are Love. Who lives continually in them and who fills them so that they may be happy, because Thou, Lord, are the Supreme Good, the Eternal Good, and it is from Thee that all good comes, and without Thee there is no good.

Hallowed be Thy Name: May our knowledge of Thee become ever clearer, so that we may realize the extent of Thy benefits, the steadfastness of Thy promises, the sublimity of Thy Majesty and the depth of Thy judgments.

Thy Kingdom come: so that Thou may reign in us by Thy grace and bring us to Thy Kingdom, where we shall see Thee clearly, love Thee perfectly, be blessed in Thy company and enjoy Thee forever.

Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven: so that we may love Thee with our whole heart by always thinking of Thee; with our whole mind by directing our whole intention towards Thee and seeking Thy glory in everything; and with all our strength by spending all our powers and affections of soul and body in the service of Thy Love alone. And may we love our neighbors as ourselves, encouraging them all to love Thee as best we can, rejoicing as the good fortune of others, just as it were our own, and sympathizing with their misfortunes, while giving offense to no one.

Give us this day our daily bread: Thy own beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to remind us of the love He showed for us and to help us understand and appreciate it and everything that he did or said or suffered.

And forgive us our trespasses: in Thy infinite Mercy, and by the power of the Passion of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the merits and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints.

As we forgive those who trespass against us: and if we do not forgive perfectly, Lord, make us forgive perfectly, so that we may indeed love our enemies for love of Thee, and pray fervently to Thee for them, returning no one evil for evil, anxious only to serve everybody in Thee.

And lead us not into temptation: hidden or obvious, sudden or unforeseen. But deliver us from evil: Present, past, or to come.

Amen.

A Canticle to Accompany the Lord's Prayer

As you pray the Pater Noster every day, consider reading this poem for added reflection.


A Prayer of David
1 Corinthians 29:10-18 (NRSV Adapted)

Blessed are you, O Lord,
the God of our ancestor Israel,
for ever and ever.

Yours, O Lord,
are the greatness,
the power, the glory,
the victory, and the majesty;
for all that is in the heavens
and on the earth is yours;
yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
and you are exalted as head above all.

Riches and honour come from you,
and you rule over all.
In your hand are power and might;
and it is in your hand to make great
and to give strength to all.
And now, our God, we give thanks to you
and praise your glorious name.

But who am I,
and what is my people,
that we should be able
to make this freewill-offering?

For all things come from you,
and of your own have we given you.
For we are aliens and transients before you,
as were all our ancestors;
our days on the earth are like a shadow,
and there is no hope.

O Lord our God, all this abundance
that we have provided for building you
a house for your holy name
comes from your hand and is all your own.

I know, my God, that you search the heart,
and take pleasure in uprightness;
in the uprightness of my heart
I have freely offered all these things,
and now I have seen your people,
who are present here, offering freely
and joyously to you.

O Lord, the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors,
keep for ever such purposes and thoughts
in the hearts of your people,
and direct their hearts towards you.

Lord's Prayer Chaplet

To be prayed on a rosary of 1 Invitatory bead following the cross, plus 4 "weeks" or groups of 7 beads, with a Cruciform bead separating each week (4 Cruciforms in total). This is the style of the Anglican rosary with 33 beads.



The Cross

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


The Invitatory

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim
Your praise.


The Cruciforms

Ask, and it will be given to you;
search, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives,
and everyone who searches finds,
and for everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.


The Weeks

Bead 1.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Bead 2. 
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Bead 3. 
Give us today our daily bread.

Bead 4. 
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Bead 5. 
Lead us not into temptation
and deliver us from evil.

Bead 6. 
For the kingdom the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Bead 7.
Amen.

History of Devotion to the Pater Noster

In Monastic Houses, monks were expected to pray the Divine Office daily in Latin, the liturgical language of the Roman Catholic Church. In some Houses, lay brothers who did not understand Latin or who were illiterate were required to say the Lord's Prayer a certain number of times per day while meditating on the Mysteries of the Incarnation of Christ. Since there were 150 Psalms, this could number up to 150 times per day. To count these repetitions, they used beads strung upon a cord and this set of prayer beads became commonly known as a Pater noster, which is the Latin for "Our Father". Lay people adopted this practice as a form of popular worship.

From Wikipedia

More history at Rosary Workshop.