With tremendous respect to Red Skelton, and his explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
I’ve been listening to men and women recite the Our Father for more years than I can remember and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to some of you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?
Our
yours, mine, relating to all of us, we are in this together
Father
parent, protector, creator, Daddy!
Who art in Heaven
the abode of God
He is not of this Earth, nor bound by our limitations, nor is He within our realm of understanding
Hallowed
holy, sacred, adored, worthy of our praise
Be Thy Name
Praise God! The awesome creator of the universe!
Thy kingdom come
God’s kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; let it be made manifest
Thy Will be done
God’s choices, His desires
Not our own desires, but those of almighty God
On Earth
Here, now, in our world that God has created for us
As it is in Heaven
God is already in control of Heaven. We are engaged on a spiritual battle here on Earth, and we ask that God rule here, just like He rules in Heaven.
Give us this day
Today, each day as it arrives
Our daily bread
Enough to satisfy our needs, now, to sustain us. Not what we “want” and not enough to last “forever.” What we truly need, that we can truly be faithful that God will provide.
And forgive us
pardon, cancel debt, stop resenting, grant mercy
Our trespasses
our sins, our debts, we owe God our lives
As we forgive
On condition that we also pardon, cancel debts, stop resenting, and grant mercy
Those who trespassed against us
anyone who has wronged us, or owes us a debt
And lead us not into temptation
Help us to avoid trials of the soul, the allure of sin, whether tested by ourselves, by others, or by Satan
But deliver us from evil
Save us from sin, all evils, and from the evil one, Satan.
