The Pattern of Prayer

“At funerals we were allowed to recite the Lord’s Prayer. As a young child I heard those strange words and had no idea who we were talking to, what the words meant, where they came from or why we were reciting them. When freedom came at last, I had the opportunity to search for their meaning. When you are in total darkness, the tiniest point of light is very bright. For me the Lord’s Prayer was that point of light. By the time I found its meaning I was already a Christian.”

Our Father

“The emperor Caesar, Galerius, Valerius, Maximanus, Invictus, Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Germanicus Maximus, Egypticus Maximus, Phoebicus Maximus, Sarmenticus Maximus [five times], Persecus Maximus [twice], Carpicus Maximus [six times], Armenicus Maximus, Medicus Maximus, Abendicus Maximus, Holder of tribunicial authority for the 20th time, emperor for the 19th, consul for the 8th, Pater Patriae Pro-Consul...”

In heaven

Hallowed be your name

Your Kingdom come, your will be done

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 - Ephesians 6:10-12

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us 

Lead us not into temptation bud deliver us from evil