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The Lord's Prayer
1 ~ Our Father Stand erect. Raise arms and hands, palms open. Raise face. Smile. (orans)
2 ~ in heaven, Look up, smiling. Raise arms over head. Hands with palms still open. |
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3 ~ hallowed be your name, Lower head and eyes. Lower hands to face. Fingers cover mouth, overlapping, elbows wide.
4 ~ your kingdom come, Raise head and eyes. Spread arms wide, hands with palms open and out. |
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5 ~ your will be done, Lower head and eyes. Bring hands together, palms together, fingertips at lips.
6 ~ on earth Maintain bowed head and posture of hands. Kneel on one knee.
7 ~ as in heaven. Remain kneeling. Raise head and eyes and arms, hands up, palms out. Smile |
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8 ~ Give us today Stand. Look up with confidence, arms parallel, bent at elbows, hands together, palms up and open, fingers cupped. |
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9 ~ our daily bread. Swing elbows out; keep palms up and open, overlap hands in front of belly, palms still up and open, fingers still cupped.
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10 ~ Forgive us Bring right hand up as fist; strike breast and keep fist there, head and eyes lowered.
11 ~ our sins Bring left hand up as fist; strike breast and keep fist there. |
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12 ~ as we forgive those Head and eyes still lowered, extend right hand as in a crucifixion.
13 ~ who sin against us. Extend left hand as in a crucifixion. |
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14 ~ Save us from the time of trial Kneel on one knee. Bring left hand in front of face, palm open, fingers spread, thumb down, palm out. Bring right arm out in front, hand up, palm out, fingers spread.
15 ~ and deliver us from evil. Remain kneeling; bend back and torso, hunch over; lower head; bring hands over face and head as for protection. |
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16 ~ For the kingdom, Remain kneeling. Straighten back. Look up confidently, open arms and hands wide, as at 4.
17 ~ the power, Stand up erect. As you rise, bring fists up to head height, elbows bent. |
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18 ~ and the glory are yours Extend arms full length, face and head raised. Smile. Wiggle hands & fingers.
19 ~ now and for ever. Amen. Return to position 1 (orans). |
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God's Children: Teaching the Lord's Prayer -- A Dance Anthem was originally prepared for a children's after-school program at Syracuse University in the early 1970's. The artwork is by Paul Bosch. Ruth Becker contributed to the choreographic design. This piece was published in slightly different form in The Circle, May, 1974, and thereafter in my The Paschal Cycle: Lent, Easter, Pentecost Worship Resources (St. Louis: Concordia, 1980). Both volumes are believed to be out-of-print. The text of the Lord's Prayer is that of the English Language Liturgical Consultation (1988). Used with permission |