" />

The Lord's Prayer

There are two forms of the Lord's Prayer in current C of E service books. The first of these is modern language, and the second is traditional. It is more likely that people at a wedding will recognise the traditional language better.

One thing that not many people know about the Lord's Prayer is that it has the same phraseology in all languages, that is, with a multi-lingual congregation, everyone can say it in their own language, and they should all finish together!

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
All   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 bread.
        Forgive us our sins
        as we forgive those who sin against us.
        Lead us not into temptation
        but deliver us from evil.
        For the kingdom, the power,
        and the glory are yours
        now and for ever.
        Amen.

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All   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 this day our daily bread.
        And forgive us our trespasses,
        as we forgive those who trespass against us.
        And lead us not into temptation;
        but deliver us from evil.
        For thine is the kingdom,
        the power, and the glory
        for ever and ever.
        Amen.

If you are feeling adventurous, and your celebrant allows it, try this version from New Zealand:
        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 echo through the universe!
        May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
        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 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

(from the Night Liturgy in the The New Zealand Book of Common Prayer, p.181)