The Lord's Prayer

Day 7 of 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box

Many prayers from my childhood made no sense to me.  Sometimes I just didn't get it.  Other times there were things said in the prayer that seemed contrary to the Love of God as all encompassing.  The Lord's Prayer is one that just seemed like a chant of things that didn't apply to me or my life until I began to look at it from a metaphysical standpoint and then further allowing the interpretation to come to my heart.  The interpretation I share with you today is personal to me. I share it because I invite you to find what resonates with your heart. I encourage you to take what you like and leave the rest.


Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

I am reminded that as a child of a loving father who is all Good, I am made in his image and likeness of all Goodness.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

May I be happy, joyous and free in my physical world as I am at my center.

Give us this day our daily bread,

Now is How

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.

And grant me relief when I take action that is misaligned with Truth as I cease to resent those who take action that is misaligned with Truth.

Leave us not in temptation but deliver us from error.

Leave me not in the allure of error and deliver me from error thoughts.

For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever. Amen.

For my Higher Power is Bigger than anything I fear, ever.  Amen


I have been asked, if you translate it why not just use the translation?"  I can say that, for me, there is a sense of serenity that comes from making peace with the traditional form.  It hasn't always been that way for me.  I think it is kind of like being able to translate something into another language, but it still has a certain beauty in its original language.  Also, this is another one I sing to myself, and I think the music (although at one time I rejected it) is soothing to my soul. 

Day 3 of 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box

Now I Walk In Beauty

This beautiful Navajo (Dineh) Prayer is a song.  I often sing it to myself almost like a soothing lullaby.

Now I walk in beauty
Beauty is before me
Beauty is behind me
Above and below me

These words gently remind me that God is with me and all around me.

For a link to a utube version to get the tune go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0hZujNbYg8

There are several more and some are quite beautiful.  The one I've listed is the closest to how I know the song.

More thoughts on Day 1 of 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box

Sometimes I interpret the Serenity Prayer as I apply it to my life.  I find this very helpful, especially in times when I am struggling in relationships.

God Grant me the Serenity
to accept others exactly as they are;
the Courage to change my focus to my own thoughts, behaviors and actions;
and the Wisdom to remember the most powerful thing I can do
is be present with the other person and myself.

This prayer has truly been outside the box for me.  I hope it inspires you.

Day 1 of 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box

The idea for the 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box came to me in a recent meditation.  Prayer is an important part of my spiritual journey even though there was a time that I really struggled with the whole concept. As a coach with a body, mind, spirit approach, I am sensitive to individual philosophies, beliefs and approaches and want to respect each one.  The thought is to share 21 prayers that are diverse in origin and create a space where those who choose to can join together as "two or more gathered" each day (on our own and in our own time) even though we are not physically together.

The First Prayer

As I was looking for prayers to include in the 21 Days of Prayer Outside the Box I did a little googling and decided to start with The Serenity Prayer.  This seems a little funny since it is really pretty "inside the box" (made popular by 12 step groups, one site calls it the most popular prayer in the world), but sometimes the best way out of the box is to start somewhere familiar.  Just stick your big toe out before you jump out with both feet.

So, if this prayer is new to you, I am grateful to have the opportunity to be the one to introduce you.  If it is one you already know I invite you to approach it as though you are experiencing it for the first time. Take it a little slower.  Stop with each word and really soak it up. This is a powerful prayer with a powerful message.  I know how easy it is to get going with these prayers without really being present to the prayer.  I invite you to become very present with this prayer at least once today and just be the observer from there.

God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
The Courage to change the things I can;
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Note:

If you are interested, there is more to this prayer.  You can Google the full version.