It is the prayer Jesus taught us, as the priest would remind us at mass. It’s Jesus’ answer to the question, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
How are we supposed to pray? Is there a particular way? Are some prayers better than others? The answer of Jesus gives us a sense of the heart of God. He does not teach a method–like a ‘do this’ or ‘say this’. Rather, he taught a way of relating with God. If there is a summary of Jesus’ teachings and life, it is this: FATHER.
That is all. That is everything.
And so when we pray this version of the Our Father, we remember that we are not asked to pray a certain way, we are asked TO BE a certain person: SON or DAUGHTER. Not cut off from God.
Dad (here choose how you call your own father–Papa, Papang, Tatay, Itay, Baba, etc.),
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right–here on earth, as in heaven.
Keep us alive with the food we need,
And help us become more fully alive to ourselves and to people around us.
Remind us to forgive others the way you forgive us,
Keep us safe from ourselves, and from powers beyond us.
You are in charge.
Amen.
[by Eric Santillan]
About Eric Santillan
AngPeregrino is Eric Santillan. He is a management consultant for two firms specializing in sustainable business, competitiveness and risk management, cost control and culture management. During weekends, he does counselling for Clinica Salutare, an Integrative Health Clinic. He is also a writer for The Mindanao Current, a core group member of Heroic Leadership Philippines, and a retreat giver.
prayersofapilgrim.com 