The familiar Lord’s Prayer is based on many language translations. When we consult the Aramaic language of Jesus, the results are very different than what we grew up with. Aramaic is a language with multiple meanings depending on the context. Here is a translation by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz who uses Aramaic, metaphysics, mysticism and poetry to create this beautiful rendition. Notice the feeling you get as you read these words.
O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos
Focus your light within us–make it useful.
Create your reign of unity now
Through our fiery hearts and willing hands
Help us love beyond our ideals
And sprout acts of compassion for all creatures.
Animate the earth within us: we then
Feel the Wisdom underneath supporting all.
Untangle the knots within
So that we can mend our hearts’ simple ties to each other.
Don’t let surface things delude us
But free us from what holds us back from our true purpose.
Out of you, the astonishing fire,
Returning light and sound to the cosmos.
Amen
Here is another version by Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett. This one uses language of oneness with the Divine.
Light of the world shines within me, outside me, all around me.
Looking to the Light, I am led by the Light.
I reflect the Light in my innermost thoughts
As well as my outermost actions.
Every day every good comes my way.
The Light I AM keeps me from being caught up in a superficial or material matters.
I am freed from being out of rhythm with my Divine Identity.
From the One Source comes the vision, the energy to bring forth the vision,
and the harmony of this manifested vision with all of creation.
This is the foundation from which I take my next step.
As Rev. Linda says, “Feel your way to language that awakens you, shakes you up, or soothes you. Rewrite the Lord’s Prayer in your own words, words that reveal truth as you know it.”
