A change to the Lord’s Prayer
Published: September 29, 2009
Updated: September 29, 2009
For those of us who so pray, this proposed amendment adds four words to the last sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, shown in italics, below. I sent a longer version to Rome on Aug 1.
“Lead us not into temptation, nor in harm’s way, but deliver us from evil.”
Harm’s way covers the area between “temptation” and “evil.” It refers to the dangers and/or injuries that occur to us as victims, not as willful participants, despite our living the good life and our inability to control everything around us, such as: diseases, cancers, flu, foods, chemistry, epidemics, mistakes, accidents, poverty, social, political and economic changes, unintended acts of mankind and acts of nature.
Daniel B. McElwain Jr.
Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
Culpeper
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Reader Reactions
I agree that the change does not make sense.
Not only do we have free will, but the “harm’s way” listed can be used to teach us important lessons, like trust, patience, humility, faith.
Another concern I see is whether or not there is an equivalent or similar phraseology in the original ancient text. I know many things cannot be translated verbatim, but if such a thought or phrasing is not found in the original Lord’s Prayer, I question the wisdom of adding our own sentiments to the text.
The proposed revision does not make sense.
Lead us not into harm’s way?
God gave us ALL the gift of free will (including the criminals who may harm us). This appears to me to be an attempt to give it back.
How does Obama enter into this issue? You guys really seem to be obsessed with him.
The Pater Noster has been re-written many times during the centuries and in many languages. Why does it need to be ‘watered down’? Rome will ignore you. Others have re-written it to pray to Obama, now that is an OUTRAGE, those people who think OHB can walk on water are in for the biggest downfall of their lives
I thought we were supposed to be praying to Obama?
Let me understand. The Pope owns the copyright to the Lord’s Prayer and he can change it as he sees fit? Are non-Catholics who recite the Lord’s Prayer required to use any amended version or would it be just Catholics?
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