One of the things I miss most about living in China is worshiping with Chinese brothers and sisters on Sunday mornings. Over the years, I attended various registered churches in Changchun and Beijing. I loved learning and singing the hymns, as well as struggling to understand the sermons. Attending church each week was a good way to measure my progress in learning Chinese, but more importantly, it was a blessing to be with God’s people.
In all the churches that I attended, there was little variation in the order of service. Opening announcements. A hymn. A prayer. A hymn. The Lord’s Prayer. A hymn. Scripture reading. Sermon. Closing hymn. Benediction. Sometimes a recitation of the Apostles’ Creed was also included.
At least in the denominational circles that I am a part of, saying the Lord’s Prayer together seems to have fallen by the wayside. I have no idea why, and I have found myself recently wishing that we recited it more. To refresh my memory, I got out my beloved Chinese hymnal to read it in Chinese.
Here is the Lord’s Prayer in English. I am opting to use the King James Version since it is likely the one that many have memorized.
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
And in Chinese:
我们在天上的父，愿人都尊你的名为圣。
愿你的国降临。愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。
我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。
免我们的债， 如同我们免了人的债。
不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶。
因为国度、权柄、 荣耀，全是你的，直到永远。
阿们。
Here is a recording of the Lord’s Prayer (主祷文) in Chinese.
In the next month, let’s use this prayer as a model to pray, not just for the people of China, but for ourselves, that…
- We will know and worship God as the true Lord of Heaven.
- We will acknowledge that Jesus reigns over all things in heaven and earth, and that he will establish his kingdom in our lives and communities.
- We will rely on God to meet all our needs, both physical and spiritual.
- We will rejoice in being forgiven and be quick to forgive others who do us wrong.
- We will be kept from temptation and delivered from evil.
- We will rejoice that Jesus is King, and that he alone has all power and glory forever.
Finally, here is a video of the Lord’s Prayer, set to music by Stream of Praise, a Chinese-American Music Ministry.
Finally, here is an excellent article by Nick Aufenkamp at Desiring God, titled “A Simple Way to Pray Every Day,” which reminds us of how we can incorporate the Lord’s Prayer into our everyday prayers.
