The World's Prayer

I used to love the Lord's Prayer. I often sung it silently to myself at night for comfort sometimes accompanied by soft grateful tears. But in the last many years, I stopped. I guess I'm less moved by thoughts of temptation, trespasses and debts, and seek more the wellspring of universal wonder.

So last week, the song came back to me, wakening me from my sleep. The tune was the same, the words different. I sensed other languages singing it too. It rang in my head for hours, forcing me finally, around 4:30 a.m., to get up and type the words out, so I could finish my sleep.

Please know that I really have no delusions of grandeur here. These words ring simpler than my poetry would.

Now I sing this in the shower, the car. For the first time, yesterday, I recited it aloud to someone outside my family circle. Halfway through I stopped. I developed a tingling sensation, head to toe, as if something awakened every cell of my body. The woman I shared it with, Janet, said she felt a simliar sensation.

So, after taking time to retreat internally for a little while, I feel moved to share again. It's Lent, a fine time for a new World's Prayer. This one's for everybody:

THE WORLD’S PRAYER

Oh Source of all Creation
Let the world know thy name
We feel your power
In darkest hour
On earth, throughout every nation

Your love transcends, unites all life
to bring us highest good
from humble appreciation.
Let Universal Wonder
enlighten all your people

For Now is the Kingdom and the Power
Within and around us
Forever (and ever)
We thank you,
Amen

followup:

"Amazing Grace" performed in the beautiful arena in Pula, Croatia, one of the most well-preserved Roman coliseums in the world. The four male singers in the group called 'Il Divo' are from four different countries and come from four different musical disciplines but have discovered a new unity of purpose. 'Il Divo' in Italian literally means a male (singular) 'prima donna.' They are: American tenor David Miller; Swiss tenor Urs Buhler; Spanish baritone Carlos Marin; and French pop singer Sebastien Izambard. This group was initially brought together in 2004 by the infamous Simon Cowell after intensive worldwide auditions. The virtuoso blending of operatic techniques with both romantic and popular tradition has taken the world by storm. They have sold over 22 million albums, the first three of which were 'Il Divo', 'Ancora,' and 'Siempre,' the last two translated into English are 'Again' and 'Always.'Lastly, the group decided to work with only one producer, a longtime collaborator named Steve McCutcheon (aka Steve Mac). A musical genius, Mac is able to create beautiful orchestrations by experimenting with differing styles and arrangements.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1785324681?bclid=1338935106&bctid=1913313052