"Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me! Amen." Martin Luther Martin Luther (1483-1546ad) German Reformer

"The Lord's Prayer, paraphrased"
Our Father, thou in Heaven above.

excerpt (hymn):

"The Hymns of Martin Luther"

Martin Luther

    "1  Our Father, thou in heaven above,
    Who biddest us to dwell in love,
    As brethren of one family,
    And cry for all we need to thee;
    Teach us to mean the words we say,
    And from the inmost heart to pray.

    2  All hallowed be thy name, O Lord!
    O let us firmly keep thy Word,
    And lead, according to thy name,
    A holy life, untouched by blame;
    Let no false teachings do us hurt,
    All poor deluded souls convert.

    3  Thy kingdom come! Thine let it be
    In time, and through eternity!
    O let thy Holy Spirit dwell
    With us, to rule and guide us well;
    From Satan's mighty power and rage
    Preserve thy Church from age to age.

    4  Thy will be done on earth, O Lord,
    As where in heaven thou art adored!
    Patience in time of grief bestow,
    Thee to obey through weal and woe;
    Our sinful flesh and blood control
    That thwart thy will within the soul.

    5  Give us this day our daily bread,
    Let us be duly clothed and fed,
    And keep thou from our homes afar
    Famine and pestilence and war,
    That we may live in godly peace,
    Unvexed by cares and avarice.

    6  Forgive our sins, O Lord, that they
    No more may vex us, day by day,
    As we forgive their trespasses
    Who unto us have done amiss;
    Thus let us dwell in charity,
    And serve each other willingly.

    7  Into temptation lead us not;
    And when the foe doth war and plot
    Against our souls one very hand,
    Then, armed with faith, O may we stand
    Against him as a valiant host,
    Through comfort of the Holy Ghost.

    8  Deliver us from evil, Lord!
    The days are dark and foes abroad;
    Redeem us from eternal death;
    And when we yield our dying breath,
    Console us, grant us calm release,
    And take our souls to thee in peace.

    9  Amen! that is, So let it be!
    Strengthen our faith and trust in thee,
    That we may doubt not, but believe
    That what we ask we shall receive;
    Thus in thy name and at thy word
    We say Amen, now hear us, Lord!