Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer
by St. Francis of Assisi OUR FATHER most holy,
Creator ,Redeemer, Consoler and Our Saviour. WHO IS IN HEAVEN
in the angels and the saints, enlightening them that they may know you, since you, Lord, are light; inflaming them to love you, since you, Lord, are love; indwelling them and making them holy, since you, Lord, are the supreme good, the eternal good, for all good comes from you and without you, nothing is good. HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME,
may we know you more clearly
and so understand the largess of your favours,
the scope of your promises,
the transcendence of your majesty,
and the wisdom of your judgements. YOUR KINGDOM COME,
so that you may reign in us by your grace,
and bring us to your kingdom,
where we shall see you more clearly,
come to love you more perfectly and,
be happy in your company, and enjoy you forever. YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,
so that we may love you with all our heart,
by thinking of you always ;
with all our soul ,by longing for you; always
with all our mind, by seeking your glory in all things; and with all our strength,
of body and soul, by loving you and serving you alone.
May we love our neighbours as ourselves,
by encouraging them to love you,
by bearing our share in the joys and sorrows of others, and giving offence to no one. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may understand and reverence
the love he has for us, and appreciate everything he said and did and suffered for us. AND FORGIVE US OUR SINS
in your immeasurable mercy,
by virtue of the passion of your Son,
and through the intercession of blessed Mary,
and all your saints. AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SINAGAINST US,
and if we do not forgive perfectly,
Lord, make us forgive perfectly,
so that, for love of you,
we may really forgive our enemies,
and fervently pray to you for them,
returning to no one evil for evil,
but trying to serve you in everyone. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
be it hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent. BUT SAVE US FROM THE TIMES OF TRIAL,
past, present or those to come,
Amen. |
