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.