Years ago, I was out for an early morning run (in Phoenix, that means 4AM). While running, I usually spoke with my Italian grandma who had passed forty years ago, giving me even greater heart access to her. More than I had when she was alive. Because when she was alive we lived in different parts of the country. After her passing, I invited her to settle herself in my heart where she continues to live and will forever. On this particular day, I began saying the Lord’s Prayer as it was originally written. Grandma suddenly interjected in her inimitable broken english, telling me that she wanted me to learn a new way to speak this familiar prayer. I thought and said out loud, “Grandma, are you kidding me? I am 2.5 miles from my house. How am I going to remember this!?” She said, “Not to worry, you will remember.” I knew that was true because my grandma was always right about everything, and even when she wasn’t, I let her think she was. For to me she was an icon. And indeed she was right. I remembered every word.
To the ear of the Christian listening, one could call it blasphemy to dare to change the words of this age old prayer. When I heard it though, I was so moved and so aware of the power of this change that I began to cry. I experienced it as going from a prayer that is pleading to one of complete and humble gratitude. To the reader I ask, please read the changes with your heart mind. It’s my hope that you will consider yourself blessed as I do and have, for all these years.
An Adaptation Of The Original Lord’s Prayer
Father, Mother, God,
Creator of us all,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom has come,
Thy will is being done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Thank you for giving us this day our daily bread,
And forgiving us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Thank you for leading us not into temptation, And allowing us to deliver ourselves from fear.
For you are our Divine Creator. You love us and we love you.
-Felicia Rizzo
