I love how my friend talks to God. This is how he has interpreted what Jesus was teaching in the different parts of the prayer when He tells His disciples "This, then, is how you should pray:" in Matthew 6:9-13
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
When he prays, he likes to call God “Papa”. That's very Biblical. It’s one of the English equivalents of the Hebrew or Aramaic word “Abba”, which is what Jesus called His Father. So he has rephrased those first two lines so they are more meaningful in today's language. He suggests . . .
Papa, your name is holy. Or......... Papa, you are holy.
He says we are telling God about God, acknowledging His nature and character and greatness, letting Him know that we trust His character.
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”
Here he says we are telling God that we want His kingdom to be here now, and that we want His will to be the last word. So again, in today's language, he suggests . . .
Papa, I give you my will. Let Your will be supreme here on earth, as You rule here.
The next line that we love so well . . .
“Give us today our daily bread.”
He reminds us that we are acknowledging that God is our provider. He suggests . . .
You are my provider, Papa. I can't even put bread on the table without You.
And here's the tough part, “Forgive us.....” Some of us may have learned the “debts” version or the “trespasses” version. He says that both of those are really poor translations and that a more accurate translation is . . .
“Forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”
He reminds us that Jesus says, right after the prayer, that if we want our sins to be forgiven, we must forgive others’ sins against us. He suggests we rephrase this . . .
I've already forgiven the people who have done wrong to me, Papa. So please forgive my sins now.
Then we have a couple of requests . . .
“And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
Which translates pretty easily.
Please keep me away from temptation and guard my life from Satan.
And finally . . .
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Here we are acknowledging God’s power to rule His kingdom. So . . .
Papa, I voluntarily submit to Your authority and power. And I gladly give You the credit and the praise and the glory for all things that matter, forever. Amen.
Here is my friends’ version of his prayer to God . . .
Papa, your name is holy. Or......... Papa, you are holy.
Papa, I give you my will. Let Your will be supreme here on earth, as You rule here.
You're my provider, Papa. I can't even put bread on the table without You.
I've already forgiven the people who have done wrong to me, Papa. So please forgive my sins now.
Please keep me away from temptation and guard my life from Satan.
Papa, I voluntarily submit to Your authority and power. And I gladly give You the credit and the praise and the glory for all things that matter, forever. Amen.