Every week in worship we say the Lord's Prayer. Most of us have long since had it memorized. I know that with me, when I am used to saying the same thing over and over again, I can lose the depth and meaning of the words. Often another 'angle' is needed to understand words that are so familiar to us.

In the New Zealand Book of Common Worship, there is a version of the Lord's prayer that opens my eyes -- and maybe yours as well. It is, I believe, a translation from the Maori version of the Lord's Prayer, and it holds many surprises for those of us long used to the "Our Father" version. Those surprises can both enlarge and enrage us. We have grown used to saying and understanding this prayer 'our' way. But this Maori version reminds us clearly that there are other ways of understanding this prayer.

Try it - tell me what you think!

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!

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

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

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

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

In time 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 your reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.