The Lord's Prayer Unfolded

Our Father who dwells beyond the farthest star,  

in realms where light is born and never fades,  

whose name is holy fire upon the tongue,  

hallowed be Thy name through endless days.  

Let mortal voices rise in quiet awe,  

not as demand but as a trembling plea,  

that every breath might carry reverence,  

and every heart confess Thy sanctity.

Thy kingdom come—O let its dawn appear,  

not distant rumor but a present flame,  

spreading through cities choked with shadowed fear,  

through deserts where the weary speak Thy name.  

Let every throne of pride be gently overturned,  

every chain of sorrow loosed and torn away,  

until the earth reflects the courts above,  

and mercy flows where once was only clay.

Thy will be done, as heaven knows its course,  

unquestioned harmony of perfect love,  

so let it move across these fractured fields,  

where human schemes so often go awry.  

Not my desire, nor any fleeting plan,  

but Thine alone, the deep and hidden road  

that leads through valley, cross, and rising dawn,  

the will that carries every heavy load.

On earth as it is in heaven—make it so,  

where angels bow and elders cast their crowns,  

where no rebellion mars the endless song,  

no tear is shed, no broken heart is found.  

Let justice roll like rivers through our streets,  

let peace descend like dew upon the grass,  

let every creature join the sacred choir  

that echoes praise where time itself will pass.

Give us this day our daily bread, O Lord,  

not hoarded store for years we may not see,  

but measure measured out for this one dawn,  

enough for need, and grace for frailty.  

The sparrow finds its portion in Thy hand,  

the lily wears its glory without care—  

so feed us, body, mind, and spirit too,  

with what sustains beyond the bread we share.

Forgive us our debts as we forgive,  

the slights we carry like a rusted blade,  

the words we hurled in anger or in pride,  

the cold indifference where love should have stayed.  

Teach us to loose the burdens others bear,  

to open hands that once were clenched in wrong,  

that mercy might become our daily robe,  

and pardon flow in an unbroken song.

As we forgive those who have trespassed here,  

release the debtor from his heavy chain,  

so let Thy mercy wash our guilty stains,  

and make us clean to stand before Thee plain.  

Not weighing scales of strict and measured right,  

but overflowing grace that knows no bound,  

forgive as rivers forgive the bitter spring,  

and heal the places where division's wound.

Lead us not into temptation's snare,  

where shadows promise what they never give,  

where pride and hunger twist the honest path,  

and fleeting pleasures teach the soul to live.  

Guard us from trials that would break our faith,  

or lure us where the spirit cannot stand—  

yet if the cup must come, then give us strength  

to drink and rise again by Thy command.

Deliver us from evil's grasping hand,  

from powers that prowl in darkness and in light,  

from lies that wear the mask of truth,  

from fears that haunt the long and sleepless night.  

Snatch us from every malice set against,  

from forces bent on ruin and despair,  

and keep us safe within Thy mighty shield,  

until the final victory You prepare.

For Thine is the kingdom, vast and whole,  

the power that moves the stars in silent flight,  

the glory brighter than ten thousand suns,  

forever reigning through eternal night—  

and evermore, through ages yet to come,  

Amen resounds from every ransomed tongue.