In my morning prayers, in addition to simply reciting the Lord’s Prayer liturgically, I try to allow the phrases of the Lord’s Prayer to “expand” my praying to include related themes, as well as specific people and situations that concern me or come to mind.
I originally learned this (I think?) from Dallas Willard, and Brian Zahnd teaches something similar in his Prayer School. But I thought I’d write down the way that I typically do it, in case it’s helpful for anyone.
Many of the additional phrases below are straight from the Scriptures. I’ve found these to be helpful for me to really enter into mindful, focused prayer (rather than mindless recitation), allowing (I hope) the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the focus and direction of prayer.
Our Father
Almighty God and Abba, Father of heavenly lights,
from whom comes every good and perfect gift,
who doesn’t change like shifting shadows,
constant in love and faithfulness to us,
…in the heavens
filling all creation with your presence,
inhabiting the dimensions between the particles,
enveloping us on every side,
holding us in your embrace,
closer to us than we are to ourselves,
…hallowed be your name
may your Name be revered as sacred and holy,
dispel the lies we believe about You,
that we and the whole worship could worship You in spirit and in truth,
crying out with saints and angels around your throne,
“Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are filled with your glory,”
…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
may your rule and reign come,
may your plans and purposes be done
in my family and closest relationships…
may your government come,
may your politics of love be done
in my church and neighborhood…
may your empire come,
may your policies of justice be implemented
in this country and among the nations…
…give us today our daily bread
provide for us everything we need, as you promise,
as we make it our top priority to be involved in what you’re doing
and allow your righteousness to grow within us,
your justice to flow among us,
provide for the poor in our midst
and give us generous and thankful hearts,
trusting you to meet all our needs
according to the riches of your glory in Christ Jesus,
…and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us
pull up any root of bitterness in our midst,
and by your Holy Spirit make us into a forgiven and forgiving community,
a reconciled and reconciling community
where no debt is owed but the debt of love
…save us from the time of trial
spare us from bad things that may happen to us,
from tribulations that would overwhelm us,
remember we are but dust, we can only take so much,
We vote “no confidence” in our flesh to withstand temptation,
…and deliver us from evil
and from the evil one, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
Let no weapon forged against us prevail,
let every tongue that accuses us be silenced and refuted,
let every fiery dart of the wicked one be extinguished by the shield of faith.
As we submit to you and resist the devil,
as we draw near to You, and You to us,
may the enemy, who leads humanity astray
into rivalry, accusation, violence, domination,
war, empire, and all manner of sin,
be driven out from our midst.
O God of peace, soon crush the satan under our feet.
…for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen!
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