The New Zealand Prayer

The church in New Zealand spent time trying to write the Lord’s Prayer in an updated language that people could understand. Since New Zealand had a mix ethnicities, they worked with a diverse team of theologians to make their update. They translated it in both English and Maori. Here is their prayer. Spend some time with it today. Consider praying it through a few times throughout your day.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.

Amen

• From the New Zealand Prayer Book (in Maori and English)