Old, New, or Modern?
Sunday, January 1st, 2012click here for past entries
Since some time in November, we have been trying out what some might call the “new” version of the Lord’s Prayer in worship. While it isn’t, strictly speaking, new (having come into use in the 1970’s), it is the newer of the two versions that are in our hymnals. The “old” version (which isn’t actually as old as I thought) seems to have come into common use with the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
While some might refer to this as the “original” Lord’s Prayer, it is far from it. There are several older English versions, one of which was used at Will & Kate’s royal wedding in 2011. This one begins, “Our Father which art in heaven,” and includes “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This version comes from the 17th century.
And now, for a truly “modern” version, try this on for size:
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.
This is Matthew 6:9-13 from The Message (Eugene H. Peterson). It is the same meaning in different words.
The question is not which version is best or right, but which version is most helpful in drawing us into prayer, and knowing what we mean, and meaning what we say. And so, which translation is most meaningful for you, and why?
For myself, I have been using both versions (from our hymnal) for long enough that both are committed to memory. However, I prefer to use the “newer” version for my own prayer. Here are a few of the reasons:
- It is at least close to the language I speak & is a more familiar way to speak to God (which thee’s and thou’s were in their time).
- I find “sins” to be a more accurate translation than “trespasses.”
- “Time of trial” seems more accurate than “temptation,” especially when James 1:13 insists that God “tempts no one.” The Greek word used here can mean “trial” or “proving,” and the root verb means “to put to the test.”
In recent discussions about the Lord’s Prayer, it seems that a number of people like it when everybody is saying the same thing. However, others have commented on what an amazing experience it was at the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in 2003, at which people said the Lord’s Prayer in their own languages, all at the same time. Surely we are one in the Spirit, even when we don’t all speak the same language!
And so, once again I invite your feedback. What is best to use in worship, and why? And – do we all need to use the same words? What will draw us into prayer and help us to mean what we say?
In Christ,
Pastor Lynne Hutchison
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