An Ash Wednesday Meditation from Pope Francis

 

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. (Mt 6: 5-6)

Prayer, charity and fasting need to grow “in secret”, but that is not true of their effects. Prayer, charity and fasting are not medicines meant only for ourselves, but for everyone: they can change history. First, because those who experience their effects almost unconsciously pass them on to others; but above all, because prayer, charity and fasting are the principal ways for God to intervene in our lives and in the world. They are weapons of the spirit.

- Homily, Ash Wednesday 2022 This came from he Catholic Near East Welfare Association.

Responses to "My problem is that I have said things and done bad things and I have a very difficult time forgiving myself."

 A friend of mine posted the following message on Facebook last night:

In my life, my walk of Faith is difficult and fraught with doubt. I have no trouble with believing that Jesus loves me; He proved that to me 2000 years ago on the Cross at Calvary. He loves us all.
My problem is that I have said things and done bad things and I have a very difficult time forgiving myself.
Does anyone out there relate to me in this situation? I'm a Senior citizen with health issues. In my last years, I want to be useful to God, not running away from Him
I was prayed over by five Christian friends today....
Maybe I just need to trust God's Love and help others...

These are common and real concerns that many people have. How do we know love and do forgiveness? How do we help ourselves and help others along as we struggle with questions of faith and meaning? My starting point here is in the Christian Bible with Philippians 4:4-9, but I am not one for giving people a Bible verse and leaving things there. I asked a few trusted people in my life for their reactions and suggestions. I'm going to post their responses as I get them, but please feel good about posting your reactions as well and please check back to see additional responses. 

One friend wrote:

When Jesus died on the cross he said it was finished... I struggled with that too but one day someone asked me if the God of the universe forgives everything I've ever done wrong then who am I to not forgives myself. I would suggest prayer and read the bible ask God to help and he will praying for ya in Jesus name. Also tell him to think about Paul the man who wrote most of the new testament. He was a persecutor of christians.

Another friend wrote:

Well . . . To me, this falls in the “What is mine?” category. Forgiveness of my sins is not mine to decide. My opportunity is to ask for forgiveness. My responsibility is to learn how to not do it again. Too much time worrying about my future - obscures my seeing and serving others. [Easier said than done] One more: The future is unknown. We can plan. We can guess. We can discuss. We can worry. How much have we spent on the unknown.

And another friend wrote:

Sounds like that cloud of doubt is trying to block him from really knowing God’s love.
God loves us like we love our children, unconditional love. When He looks at us, he doesn’t see our faults and sins, He sees his Son, Jesus, who gave his very life for us.
Love beyond measure is hard to accept.
We only see our sinful selves. But God looks at us with the eyes of a Father. It brings Him joy to forgive us. He wants to smother us with His love.
But we see ourselves as unworthy and miss out on the blessings He willingly gives us.
God is love, that’s not a feeling He has, it’s who He is.
Sometimes we just need to be silent and feel that love He has for us.
We need to stop arguing in our hearts and minds and just be quiet and listen.
We get in our own way.
I’ll pray your friend finds that peace he’s looking for. More important I pray he sees who God really is.

A necessary prayer from Frank Borman

Give us O God, the vision which can see thy love in the world

In spite of human failure
Give us the faith to trust goodness
In spite of our ignorance and weakness.
Give us the knowledge to continue to pray with understanding hearts.
Show us what each of us can do to set forth the coming of the day of universal
Peace

Frank Borman

A powerful meditation from Thomas Merton

A Meditation

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I’m going
I cannot see the road ahead
And I do not see for certain where it will end
Nor do I know myself
And I think I am following your will
Does not mean I am actually doing so
But I believe my desire to please you
Does in fact please you
And I hope I have that desire in all that I do
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it
Therefore,I will trust you always
Though I may be lost in the shadow
I will not fear
For you are ever with me.

Thomas Merton

"The Post-Holiday Happy Sads," music, and Seasonal Affective Disorder

I have not thought much about the post-holiday period as a time for sadness. I mean, I live in an area of the country where the rain comes down, the sky is gray and a certain kind of cold gets in my bones and won't leave no matter how high the thermostat gets set or how much wood gets burned in the fireplace for what seems like six months in a row. I have come to accept that and just try to power through. I welcomed the recent snow just for the break in routine and I was rewarded with a couple of blue sky days with snow on the ground and some blessed quiet. But here you can see and feel people getting depressed and short on joy and compassion and thankfulness as the rain and cold go on. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and it's real.

The great folks over at The Bluegrass Situation have a somewhat different take on things than I do, and I'm glad that they do. They're keyed into helping with our post-holiday "Winter happy-'sads'" and they have at least a partial cure for what some of us are going through, whether it be SAD or feeling kind of down because the holidays are past, time is passing, we're kind of cooped up, and the dopamine rushes of giving and receiving and feasting and drinking are wearing off. 

Their cure for it all is music, of course. They have six great special music videos that get right to the business of cheering you up or cheering you along or just helping you get through. I can't say that I have a favorite of the six, but Etta Baker's "Railroad Bill" is just so cleanly played that I want to share it from their post.

 

I had not heard of Pharis and Jason Romero before, but that's my kind of music, too. I'll say the same about the Earl White Stringband.

There is just something about finding new music and new food and getting some new clothes to help me through the dark days. I hope that that is true for you also and that you're able to pull through. I made this dish the other day:

Now, I based that dish on two recipes that I found at Camellia Beans but I messed around and added some ingredients and didn't do some of the other things that they suggested and that dish above has 21 ingredients in it and I'm eating it with yellow rice and Texas Pete pepper sauce. I promise you that no one is paying me for product placement. Camelia Beans does have some great recipes up and you could probably spend all winter and spring eating your way through and enjoying most every meal.

For some brand new clothes I went to Red Kap and got myself some coveralls and to the Belk on-line store for some shoes. The Belk stores are an old favorite of mine.

 

Don't worry--I only bought myself two pair, but...

The only big mistake that I have made in all of this is that I wasn't watching what I was doing and I ordered a case of Dixie Lily corn meal when I meant to order just a few bags. Thank goodness that I can always use corn meal for something and that I can give my extra as gifts. 

The other tried and true things for me to do are to keep some Christmas lights up, to pray, and to read. I need to hang out some with friends and to do things that connect me with others, like going to protest and union rallies, poetry readings, and on-line learning sessions. It helps me to know before I go to sleep each night that I am helping someone or somebodies. 

All of that said and done, I don't want to give the impression that anyone should try to purchase their way out of the blues and hard times that hit in these months. Buying stuff gives folks that dopamine rush that I referred to above, but it won't solve your problems at hand, and it may create another problem by running up your credit card.

Make sure that you're sleeping and getting up on a regular schedule that works and keeps you going and happy. This is a tough one, I know. Take your vitamins and eat.

If you still need some help here, turn to someone and talk about it. Don't hit the bottle or the pipe if you can help it. Call 988 if you think that you need to or if someone tells you that they think that hat is what you should do.

Tonight we pray for the momma who is worried...

I think that the following prayer comes from the Midnight Mom Devotional that I used to draw from often on this blog.

Tonight we pray for the momma who is worried. Her heart is heavy. She's having trouble sleeping. She may even be crying inside but putting on a smile for others. Lord, there are so many things that we as mommas worry about daily and even nightly. You asked us to give it to You. Tonight, we give You our worries. We ask for Your peace. We thank You for taking care of all our needs. Please help this momma to find community and any help that she needs. Please grant her sleep tonight. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

This photo comes from Ward Weems on Facebook. The accompanying caption says, "A tenant family who lived in the Camp Croft area and was removed, The man was employed working for a neighboring farm and loses employment when moved. Near Pacolet, South Carolina, March 1941 in photograph by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration, Library of Congress."

This photo also comes by way of Ward Weems. The caption reads, "Decosta famile mother and children, Portuguese immigrants, and Farm Security Administration client borrowers, Little Compton, Rhode Island, December 1940 in a photograph by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration, Library of Congress."

Millions of people the world over are leaving their homes in search of safety and work. Many are fleeing the effects of global warming and climate change and must take their children with them as they go. Some never find what they are looking for and perish along the way and only God and their families know their names. 

These photos remind us that it was not so long ago that many families in the United States were forced to move, traveling north or west in order to escape bad conditions. Political and economic refugees from fascist governments came as well, and are still coming. We should remember their struggles and trials when we consider the mommas and families seeking sanctuary in the United States today and include them in our prayers.

Some helpful suggestions...

 

Quilting and sprituality

I saw this photograph on Travis Chumley's Facebook page yesterday. The caption accompanying the photo indicates that it was taken in Powell Valley, Claiborne County, Tennessee, in the 1940s and also says "Photograph of six women standing around a table saying grace. They are outside and the table is full of food. The women have gathered together to spend the afternoon working on a quilt. Photo: Joe Clark HBSS - Clark Family Photo Collection - Special Collections Library - University of North Texas." The photo at the bottom of this post comes from the same sources.

Coincidentally, National Public Radio (NPR) ran an interesting story on quilting that touched on matters of faith yesterday. The story summary says "For some Black Americans, family histories can be hard to find. Slavery and the discriminatory laws that lingered years later prevented the documentation and record keeping of Black Americans. Today, a group of Black quilters from across the Northeast honor their ancestors through bold and colorful quilts, illustrating their experiences and telling their stories."

Photo from NPR/Connecticut Public Radio

One of the women featured in the NPR story said, "Quilting is also a way to connect with the past, while wrestling with ongoing injustice today. When things happen, like George Floyd, you know we make quilts about that...When loved ones pass away, we make quilts. We honor them with fabric that they wore.” Her name is Love, which seems so appropriate.

You can learn more about the women featured in the NPR story by going to this 2022 Where We Live interview with the group co-founder Susi Ryan. According to a Connecticut Public Radio note, that show also features textile artist and author Jen Hewett, who talked about her recent book featuring hundreds of creators of color who were interviewed about their relationship to making.

There is much to say here or be silent with. I know some women quilters who either do their work mostly alone or who go to quilting stores for companionship and inspiration. Quilting still seems like what we used to respectfully call "women's space." I'm glad that quilting still goes on, and most cold nights I sleep under a quilt made by a woman in McDowell County, West Virginia who used old bluejeans and simple fabric combinations to come up with something that well represents her region. It has handy pockets in it for stuffing things. Her name and address are on the quilt but I have not contacted her. I also have a quilt made out of my old union tee-shirts many years ago and that quilt holds more than a decade of union struggles in it.

I hope that women continue to gather in groups away from businesses and do their quilting with some praying or spiritual work and eating and getting along with one another. 

My heart just prays for a time when we can tear down some of the barriers that separate us and pray together or share our spiritual paths and share our creative work. 

Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1940s...
Caption: Four women are shown working together on quilts. Several completed quilts are shown hanging on a building behind them.
Photo: Joe Clark HBSS - Clark Family Photo Collection - Special Collections Library - University of North Texas

Yeah, but...

I don't think that most of my friends would argue with the statement above, but I have a "Yeah, but..." reaction to it that I want to share. 

God has many qualities and attributes, or we give God many qualities and attributes, but kindness and love are two among many. In another post I borrowed from Gregory MacDonald's book The Evangelical Universalist in reminding that God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent and then went beyond MacDonald to remind that Muslims have 99 names for God that describe God's qualities and that this is something for Christians to take into ourselves.

Perhaps it is true for many of us that in reacting to upbringings in which we were told only of an angry God who dwelt in retributive justice, or in trying to make a living in a hierarchical and competitive society as adults, that we overreact by taking an opposite position if we go on as believers at all. Many of us over-emphasize or particularize a God of love. This has started to feel to me as presumptuous and as imposing my will and definition on God.

Let's consider that kindness and love are excellent qualities to have and that they come from God and are parts of our experience in heaven on earth right now and today, but let's also look at a wider picture and recall that God has other qualities as well and that these also show up in our lives.

And what if you're not kind and loving and can't manage grace or giving grace? Are you really outside of "the theology of Jesus"? Is that a bad and dooming thing?

Well, please try to be kind and loving and about giving grace, and please pray for me because I'm terrible at doing those things. Remember through your struggles (and your prayers for me) that God will come looking for you when you inevitably miss the mark. You're going to be okay. You're going to have some hell for yourself and others, but the Holy Spirit is "everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life" and She will come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls" with our fervent prayer.

Those who have strayed were sought by the master
He who once gave his life for the sheep.
Out on a mountain still He is searching
Bringing them in forever to keep.

Here is something that I do to get myself on the road going to being kind and loving and giving grace. If I can remember to do it, in that moment before I'm angry at someone or being unkind to them I say silently to myself "You are blessed and you are beautiful!" and direct that thought at them and then, sometimes, at me as well. Sometimes I just look around me and direct that to the people going about their business. 

Maybe much of the time I don't feel this or mean this when I whisper it to myself. Someone may cut me off in traffic or in a line or cause me offense. My first thought is not to be kind. Maybe my second thought isn't, either. I may not mean "You are blessed and you are beautiful!" if I even get it out in those moments. So what? It's still a good habit to develop and your heart will mean it if your mind doesn't. Sooner or later, if kindness and love are given to you as gifts to pass on with grace, you will likely mean it. All of you will mean it.

Doing this is a little like doing the Jesus Prayer and Hesychasm. Don't force it, do it in the contexts of your relationship to the world and with God, let your heart learn it and do it. The "theology of Jesus" will come as a gift or you will get other gifts or you will realize that you have had gifts all along and be happy with those.  

 

"Humble"---A new testimony song from Steve Cline

We have had the good fortune to have posted music and some quotes from Steve Cline on this blog previously. Steve is a pretty deep thinker. He lives in West Virginia and has a powerful story to tell us, and I think that we should hear what he's saying and sit with that for awhile and take what works for us with us. If you read this blog regularly you know that some of our constant themes are recovery, religion and spirituality, and the creativity and beauty that is around us and within us. We hit all of these themes in Steve's music and in much of what he has to say. Do I always agree with Steve? No. But his testimony and his music get and hold my attention, and I know that there are many people out there who will benefit greatly from hearing Steve and knowing that there is someone out there who knows their road and can put it into music and share much-needed hope.

The words are as follows:

I was raised to be a prideful sinner

always to stand up for myself

was how to be a winner

but then I found out that road is just full of glimmer

it'll take u to hell a whole lot quicker 

we all need to forgive and be humble

give the shirt off of our back and love our brother

we need to deny our flesh and stay sober

we need to walk as Jesus walked and be humble

there's a way to man that may seem right

but theres only one way that leads to life

we have to trust that Gods way is right

if we put our faith in him he will bring us through the fire

Steve says:

I'm in the process of trying to start a group meeting around McDowell county. As of right now idk of any. A friend of mine is starting one in welch in Feb. I'm trying to get one going in n the Gary area. These bigger cities have at least one everyday. with all the addiction and deaths from addiction we need a place where people who are struggling can come to talk with others who have been there and not feel ashamed. A place where no one looks down on them. I reached out to the mayor of Gary yesterday an plan on talking to a couple pastors to see if I can find a place to have these meetings. I'm trying to see how many people would be in interested in attending these meetings. The only way we will get stronger is in unity. like, comment, and share if you or someone you know would be interested.---January 27

and

there are people who think they know what recovering addicts are going through but just because you've done a couple pills or snorted a line of coke doesn't make you an addict in the same way that working at a hospital doesn't make you a Dr. no matter how much clean time we have there are days we wake up wondering if this is gonna be the day we slip. it's a constant battle of the mind especially when you have the means to do so. you may think that your actions don't have an effect on an individual and you probably don't care but they do. and I know it's another tool of the enemy to try to get me back but I'm sure that others don't know that. in the past anytime we felt anger, joy, resentment, loneliness, our escape was drugs. Now days I use the bible and prayer. but 20+ years of running to the wrong things takes time to break those cycles. I also know that there are certain people who don't want to see us succeed, but all I'm saying is just watch how you treat people,, you might be the straw that breaks the camel's back.---January 26

Those are powerful statements that come straight from the heart. I think Steve is being a realist here, and I say that with my own struggles and the struggles of many friends in mind. The January 27 statement brought a reaction from someone in McDowell County, West Virginia that I believe is entirely justified. They wrote:

I’ve said that before! Here our county was having the highest od rate in the nation at one time, and not only was there no facilities available for recovery, but there’s not even any AA type meetings! It’s proof to me how our state government thinks we don’t matter in McDowell, and why it’s SOOO very harmful for residents and former residents to think it’s ok for them to leave here and talk like we’re nothing but addicts and low life’s with no redeemable qualities.

Why do I think that this statement is totally justified? Because I believe that the person who wrote this knows from first-hand experience what they're talking about and because it is certainly true that West Virginia and most of Appalachia do not receive the levels of social services and care that are needed. Most of the region lives in a semi-colonial state, producing wealth for export and exporting workers to other states and providing large numbers of people to the military but getting almost nothing back that reaches the grassroots. Most of the politicians act as if they're serving colonial masters. I cannot think of a nicer way to say it. People who want to get sober may have to go elsewhere, as the writer says. But why can't home be part of the care and medicine we need?

Steve Cline on climbing mountains and our faith journeys

Friends, this is our third post from Steve Cline. Steve lives in West Virginia. I think that this post carries a great message to end one year and begin a new year with. We all have tough climbs, and some of them are dangerous and not everything that we cling to along the way is going to be helpful but our journeys have meaning and value and can take us to new heights and better vistas with the proper solidarity and guidance. This post also helps reinforce a point that is a basic premise of this blog: wisdom, beauty, and creativity are all around us and amongst us.

Dr. Ralph Stanley's "Great High Mountain" carries a similar testimony and message.

 

From Annie Lambert

 

Lord,

As these next couple of weeks close the calendar year out…help us pause and be still. Help us reflect on Your faithfulness throughout the year, the times of Your unfailing love when we cried, the times You gave strength when we were unable to stand, the times of joy and hope.

During this last month of 2022, I pray You would heal the pieces of our hearts that need restoration from painful circumstances of the past.

What a blessing that we can come to You, the One who spoke the stars alive, the One whose throne endures forever.

Please hold us all close in the safety of your loving arms.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

It has been my experience that walking with God does not mean that I never weep. It means that I never weep alone.

Because there is a presence with me, and I can't explain it to you. But if you have ever felt that presence that cannot be named, in moments that you've felt afraid or alone…that is God wiping your tears away, covering you with a grace that only He can give.

God is still with us and He always will be. God is bigger than any sadness or any fear that we may be feeling.

There is power in the name of Jesus.

Call on Him.

Some thoughts to warm you and some ideas to study on

Beth Allison has been catching lots of grief for this post. Her book The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth ( Brazos Press, 2021

should be standard reading and discussion material for all of us.

This is from Judi Tarowsky, who writes "On the U.S.S. Arizona in January 2020. This allows visitors to look down onto the ship. When a ship survivor dies, if he wishes, his ashes are interred in a special place on the ship. Divers access it through this opening, with full Navy ceremonies. It is a deeply emotional and spiritual place to visit. The memorial wall with the names about did me in."

This post came to me by way of Sam Swan and has the following story with it;

A son took his father to a restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner. His father is quite old

and therefore ,a little weak too. While eating, food occasionally fell on his shirt and pants.

The other guests watched the old man with their faces contorted in disgust, but his son

remained calm. After they both finished eating, the son quietly helped his father and took

him to the toilet. Cleaned food scraps from his crampled face and attempted to wash food

stains on his clothes, graciously combed his gray hair and finally put on his glasses.

As they left the restroom, a deep silence reigned in the restaurant. The son paid their bill 

but just before they leave, a man, also old, got up and ask the old man’s son , “Don’t you

think you left something here?”

The young man replied “I did not leave anything.”

Then the stranger said to him, ”You left a lesson here for every son and a hope for every

father.” The whole restaurant was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop!

One of the greatest honours that exist ,is being able to take care of those who have taken

care of us too. Our parents and all those elders who sacrificed their lives with all their time, money and effort for us, deserve our utmost respect.

Goodness of God-Cece Winans Lyrics

Just click on the box where it says "Youtube" and it will work just fine.

 

A Prayer For Workers On Labor Day

Lord God, Master of the Vineyard,

How wonderful that you have invited us

who labor by the sweat of our brow

to be workers in the vineyard

and assist your work

to shape the world around us.

As we seek to respond to this call,

make us attentive to those who seek work

but cannot find it.

Help us listen to the struggles of those

who work hard to provide for their families

but still have trouble making ends meet.

Open our eyes to the struggles of those exploited

and help us speak for just wages and safe conditions,

the freedom to organize, and time for renewal.

For work was made for humankind

and not humankind for work.

Let it not be a vehicle for exploitation

but a radiant expression of our human dignity.

Give all who labor listening hearts

that we may pause from our work

to receive your gift of rest.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit

that you might work through us to let your justice reign.

Amen.

Taken from the The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Labor Network.

"Our tears and smiles reveal the hope hidden behind our daily life, the quiet need we never express."

"Prayers do not need special times or special words. Our prayers exist unspoken in the

 silent spaces between our actions. They are an expression of our ancient spiritual instinct,

 a reaching out into the other world for any help that may be there. Our heart speaks more

 eloquently than any mantra about the things we long for and wish could happen. Our tears and

 smiles reveal the hope hidden behind our daily life, the quiet need we never express. We are praying every day, whether we acknowledge it or not. And our prayers are being heard every day, whether we believe it or not."

--The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston

Native American/Indigenous Ministries of the Episcopal Church

From the Midnight Mom Devotional

Tonight we pray for the momma struggling with anxiety. She isn't talking about it because she feels like she's said it before so many times. Lord, we ask that You fill her heart with Your peace and bring her calm like a warm blanket. You are so good and so kind to us. Help this momma to find the resources that she needs for healing. Help her to rest tonight. We ask in Jesus's name, Amen.

From The Midnight Mom Devotional

Tonight we pray for the momma who is holding her breath, waiting to see how it all turns out. Lord, this momma trusts You. She loves You, but she needs help, or hope, or a miracle. She needs You to intervene, or to reach into her situation and rescue her, or to simply resolve what is weighing on her heart. Tonight, Lord, remind this momma that she doesn’t have to hold her breath. She can use it. She can pray and declare Your Word, and she can praise You even before the answers come, trusting that You will help her. Bless this momma tonight and give her rest. We ask in Jesus’s name,

 Amen.

Building With The Poor People's Campaign & Faith: Rev. Dr. Rodney Williams with a Special Sermon

This will work despite what it says. Just click on it.
 

Praying The Lord's Prayer

 A few months ago I participated in a group study of The Lord's Prayer, or "The Our Father..."  The prayer is commonly given as follows: 

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.

We looked at the prayer line by line through group discussion and considered the meaning of the prayer with help from video talks given by the Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton and by reading his book The Lord's Prayer. Pastor Hamilton made a case for keeping the traditional "Thy" when using this prayer, for emphasizing God's will (and not our will), for taking "daily bread" to mean both physical food for those who hunger and spiritual food for those seeking that, and for adding a comma so that the lines read "Lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." He spent some time taking up the idea that "Our Father" might be inadequate, or even traumatizing, to people who have had bad relations with their earthly fathers and suggested that "Our Parent" might be a good substitute. These are my memories only, and I may be off course here. You can go to the link above and hear it directly from him.

The version of the prayer that is most familiar to me is as follows:

Our Father who are 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 (or debts)
as we forgive those who trespass against us (or our debtors);
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from the evil one,
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power,
and the Glory, 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

now and for ever.
Amen.

This reflects my mixed Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox roots.

The other day I found the following version on the Progressive Methodists Facebook page:

I do like this, but some people have complained that in using this we are distorting Christ's words and intent. This is, after all, a prayer that Crist taught us.

I'm not convinced that this distorts Christ's teachings more than any translation of anything that He said or taught. I'm also not sure how much it matters how much we get exactly correct when we pray. We and what we pray with and for are works in progress, I hope. We're not praying to tell God what to do or to acquaint God with what we need or what we're hoping for. Prayer should soften the heart and lead to honest conversation that illumines us.

This suggested version begins to do that for me. I only hesitate when I get to "Fill us with courage..." I'm not hesitating here because I don't need courage, but because I don't want to lose the idea that "temptation" refers to a specific time of trial, an event or events that will occur or do occur in real time and history. I find "the evil one" useful because I need to remember that evil can have a very real presence and is embodied in social structures and systems that benefit a few people at the expense of the many and that it can be personified and personalized as well.