The Lords Prayer

I attended a C of E primary school. The hymns and prayers we used then are still absolutely with me. At grammar school morning assembly was an important part of the day. Hymn number 446 was ‘Jerusalem’ and everyone, even the less devout, sang it with such gusto that to this day it sends shivers down my spine when I hear it.

Unlike so many of GN posters, I go to church fairly regularly. It’s an important part of my life.

Yes. And the words of the sections of the Mass, plus various collects, the Magnificat etc.

As well as the Lords Prayer I know many hymns off by heart. We all went to church when the children were young and although they don’t go regularly now they too know prayers and some hymns by heart.

As I am Welsh ( although not loving in Wales now ) we all know the words of the Anthem and sing it when watching the rugby I usually do this with tears in my eyes as it makes me homesick .

Yes certainly, and probably the whole 1666 Communion service & morning prayer as well. I'm 61 now & started going to church with my dad when I was about 4 and of course we always had prayers at school. I was shocked when the vicar said we should have the Lord's Prayer printed in the Order of Service for my mum's funeral last week as a lot of people wouldn't be familiar with it!

I learnt all the hymns, carols and prayers at school, Sunday School and Church but I am still a non believer. All the indoctrination didn't work for me. I still like churches and graveyards, I find the peace appealing but not in a religious sense.

After having to attend church with father between ages 6-16, I can recite the Lord's prayer and usual responses and know all the words to virtually every commonly sung hymn in C of E churches.
I've been an atheist for more than 50 years.

Times table, Lord's Prayer, God Save the King/Queen all mandatory learning when I was at primary school. The methods of teaching and curriculum has changed many times over the years very much doubt if teachers can repeat the 3 items above.

I do know it off by heart, but recently I was conducting a funeral and about to lead the Lord's Prayer and I felt my mind go completely blank! [Gulp!] Fortunately it was printed on the order of service and as soon as I began to speak it all came back - much to my great relief.

I noticed recently the same thing happened to another minister who got halfway through and then faltered - I'm sure his hesitancy was noticed only by me, but he said afterwards that he simply blanked out. I think it's easily done when something is overly familiar.

I can remember all the words to the Lord's Prayer as well as many hymns we sang in our Methodist Chapel. I really enjoy a good rousing hymn especially some of the older ones.

I remember learning the Lord's Prayer in French as part of our French lessons at school.

I have known it in English since I started school at five and can say it in Danish, Latin, German and Spanish as well.

I would like to see schools still including prayers in morning assembly, but in this day and age, I feel that there shouldn't be a monopoly of Christian prayers. Muslim, Hindu, Jewish children and staff and any other religion present in the school should be able to take a turn at saying their prayers.

This would teach children something about other religions and demonstrate that basically we all pray for the same kind of reasons, irrespective of what our faith is called.

I’ve not said that prayer - or any other - for a long time . Rather wonderful to think of so many of us saying it together , whatever we do or don’t believe!

I go to a church in London where all our services are from the 1662 Prayer Book. When I was a girl in 1940s we used the Lords Prayer every day. I enjoy the old communion service and know most of it by heart. I find going to church comforting but I find praying by myself hard.
I belong to the Prayer Book Society which works to preserve the Prayer Book. The language is just beautiful. Our church is St Giles In The Fields just near Tottenham Court Road Station.

DoraMarr. thanks Dora, for the update on the Education Dept. and Christian assembly at school.

I know it of by heart too. It was drummed into us at school.

I can recite the Lords Prayer though I think the words have changed slightly. Also know the first verse of the National Anthem.

Learned the Lords Prayer and times table and national anthem. Never forgotten them or the hymns we had at church and assemblies. If you had Religious Education lessons the Roman Catholics went and sat in the library

I am Catholic and say the Our Father every day as it is part of the Mass. It is the greatest of all prayers as it was given to us by Jesus himself

In the first few weeks at my state grammar school we had to learn the Prayer for Peace, the Collect for Peace, the School Prayer, the General Thanksgiving (I still know them all). The Lord's Prayer was taken for granted. We used them regularly at the morning assembly.

PS How many people know the National Anthem? I know only the first verse.

Quite amazed at how many people can recite The Lords Prayer - I can, but doubt my grandchildren can!

PaddyAnn I remember citing the Burns Poem many times and also 'Address to the Haggis' Ahhhh you brought back many happy memories for me. Thank you

aprilgrace you mentioned Ducks Ditty - was that the ‘uptails all’ poem?

I know the Lord's prayer and several hymns off by heart, because it was a daily assembly ritual at school. They're just rhymes and songs to me, as I'm not religious.

I don't think children should be indoctrinated with religion (although I was unmoved) but should decide on their own beliefs when they feel old enough to. That's what RE should be for - just to give information.

All my family know, and use it.
I love the story of the little boy who thought it says, "Harold be Thy name!"
If children don't understand a word, they will substitute one that they know.

LP - yes - although I can only say the traditional version without having to think about it. I was also interested in the Catholic church's stance on the 'lead us not into temptation' section.
As for school assemblies. Its an odd one. Lots of fuss about them and many schools have abandoned them at the same time as saying they value quiet reflective time and many introduce meditation. What is an assembly with prayer if not a quiet time with reflection?
But lots of folk these days seem to like to reinvent the wheel.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.