1. The Lord’s Prayer candle circle
You will need: large central candle and twelve tealight candles, matches, quiet reflective music optional.
Arrange the twelve tealight candles (symbolic of the twelve disciples) in a circle with the large candle in the middle (symbolic of Jesus, the Light of the World). Some gentle and quiet reflective music in the background can be very helpful.
Light the central candle acknowledging that God is present in the midst, even if just two or three are gathered. Decide which form of the Lord’s Prayer you will use – either traditional or modern. Invite each person to light a tealight candle as they say the first stanza of the Lord’s Prayer, then another person lights another tealight with the second stanza of the Lord’s Prayer, and so on until the whole prayer has been said.
Take it further
You can take as much time over this as you like by having times of silence for reflection in between each stanza – or develop the prayers after the Lord’s Prayer by lighting a candle for a particular person or situation that is on your heart. Make sure that the table is big enough to accommodate lots of candles without them being too close to each other.
Traditional form of the Lord’s Prayer
- Our Father, who art 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,
- As we forgive those who trespass against us.
- And lead us not into temptation;
- But deliver us from evil.
- For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
- For ever and ever. Amen
Modern form of the Lord’s Prayer
- 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.
- Save us from the time of trial
- And deliver us from evil.
- For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
- Now and for ever. Amen
2. A slow Lord’s Prayer
This interactive setting of the Lord’s Prayer is an effective way to slow the prayer down and give everyone the opportunity to consider the meaning.
Leader: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Everyone: Father and Mother God, you go everywhere with us.
Leader: Hallowed be thy name.
Everyone: May we give you the honour that you deserve.
Leader: Thy kingdom come,
Everyone: May we live like Jesus, your son.
Leader: Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Everyone: May we follow what Jesus taught us, especially when it seems unfair or impossible.
Leader: Give us this day our daily bread,
Everyone: Give us everything that we need to get us safely through the day.
Leader: Forgive us our trespasses,
Everyone: Please don’t keep reminding us about all the mistakes we’ve made.
Leader: As we forgive those who trespass against us,
Everyone: We will try not to be resentful or to hold grudges against those who hurt us.
Leader: Lead us not into temptation,
Everyone: Help us when things are difficult for us at home, or with our friends.
Leader: Deliver us from evil.
Everyone: Take away everything that hurts us and worries us.
Leader: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ.
Everyone: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen
Devised by Fr Paul Hardy © 2001 Hardy/CJM Music Ltd, St Mary’s House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3ED, 01675 466254, liturgy@cjmmusic.com.
3. Simple visual Lord’s Prayer
