As part of our Summer 2026 exploration of the Lord's Prayer, the folk of St Denys have been writing or discovering different versions of the Lord's Prayer. It's been inspiring to read what has been written, and a joy to share them through our Sunday worship. But we also thought it'd be great to gather all into one blog.

We invite to read choose one or two, read them slowly, maybe out loud, and notice what phrase grabs your attention. Then pause and spend time with it. Pray it.

And then do it again tomorrow.

#1@ Robert S offer us his composition...

Our Father of heaven and earth,
whose name is light,
whose presence is peace,
whose love is the song beneath all things.

Let Your kingdom rise among us
like dawn breaking over dark waters;
let Your will take root here
in our streets, our homes, our hearts—
as effortlessly as it does in heaven.

Give us what this day requires:
bread for our bodies,
calm for our minds,
and courage for whatever waits ahead.

Forgive us gently
when we wander from Your ways,
and teach us to forgive
with the same mercy You show us—
open‑handed, ungrudging, free.

Lead us away from the shadows
that cling to our steps,
from temptations that hollow us out,
and from fears that whisper untruths.

Deliver us into Your goodness,
Your wholeness,
Your protection that never fails.

For the kingdom is Yours,
the power is Yours,
the glory is Yours—
now, always, and beyond all time.
Amen.

#2: Jacob offered this re-working

Dad,
the origin of all that's good in the world,
we are grateful for your guidance and acknowledge your glory.
Help us strive to make the earth a reflection of your love; let the example of your son be our template.
Bestow upon us sufficient provision for the challenges we face today.
Grant us the grace and forbearance to understand and overlook the shortcomings of others, that our failings might be similarly pardoned.
Keep us from the stimuli that provoke our worst nature and shield us from all ill-intent.
We loan the Earth from our children, who are made in your image; inspire us to act with consideration and wisdom and, in doing so, honour you.
Amen

#3: Karen H created this poem:

Our wonderful Father in Heaven above.
May we praise you forever for your vast love.
We are so grateful for all you have done.
You made for us the moon, stars and sun.
Help us as we try hard to do your will.
Your love for others in us instil.
Provide all we need and, if we have more,
may we give cheerfully to others, it shouldn't be a chore.
Forgive us the things that we do wrong.
As we forgive others all the day long.
Keep us from the lure of things that are bad.
As we do our best not to make others sad.
Your kingdom is amazing, powerful and great.
To be with you there is surely our fate.

#4: Louise O found these 1997 versions from a French Bible, she notes that it's not their 'usual' church version, nor a smoothed-out translation.

From Matthew's Gospel:
Our Father, (you/toi) who are in the skies* (*a way for Matthew to avoid the word God, ie 'where God is'),
(We pray) That each (of us) might recognise that you are the sainted God,
That your Reign* (royaume des cieux) might come,
That each (of us), on the earth, might do your will like it is done in the sky.
(That you) Give us today the necessary bread.
(That you) Pardon 'to' us our wrongs,
Like we, too, also pardon 'to' those who have done us wrong.
And don't expose us to temptation,
But deliver us from the Bad.
Because it's to you that the Reign*, the power and the glory belong,
For always.
Amen* Yes, in truth.

Luke's Gospel:

Father, (we pray) That all recognise that you are the sainted God,
... That your Reign* comes.
Give us each day the necessary bread.
Pardon us our sins, Because we ourselves (give) pardon to those who have done wrong to us,
And don't expose us to temptation.

#5 Andrew M offered us Tom Wright's re-telling: (from Simply Christian)

‘I want to be part of his kingdom movement.  I find myself drawn into his heaven-on-earth way of living.  I want to be part of his bread-for-the-world agenda, for myself and for others.  I need forgiveness for myself – from sin, from debt, from every weight around my neck – and I intend to live with forgiveness in my heart in my own dealings with others.  And because I live in the real world, where evil is still powerful. I need protecting and rescuing.  And through it all, I acknowledge and celebrate the Father’s kingdom, power and glory’.