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Prayer in Elizabethan English

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Rev. Joshua, Aug 13, 2002.

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When I lead in worship I ...

  1. always pray using Elizabethan English.

    8 vote(s)
    16.7%

  2. sometimes pray using Elizabethan English.

    31 vote(s)
    64.6%

  3. pray in the same manner that I normally speak.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  4. do not speak English at all.

    9 vote(s)
    18.8%

  5. [skip] I do not lead in worship.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Whatever language you want to pray in is fine with me.

    When I was growing up, it was common in the churches I attended to hear public prayers with archaic pronouns; it was a reflection of the language of the KJB and was a natural language for those who used it.

    I would quibble that what we're discussing is "Elizabethan English." I seriously doubt its practitioners are fully comfortable with Elizabethan diction and syntax.

    I would prefer to call it "Church English," which echoes older English that was preserved within the churches.

    Certainly one can't criticize Elizabethan English (Shakespeare and Marlow, etc.) but it's just not what we happen to speak.

    Often it's sincere; sometimes it's an affectation. Largely it's just how you were raised.
    [​IMG]
     
    #41 rsr, Aug 28, 2002
  2. church mouse guy

    church mouse guy Well-Known Member
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    Elizabethan English is modern because it can be read by anyone willing to tackle it even if the spelling is not regularized in the text. It is not Middle English and it is not Anglo-Saxon.

    Certainly, the King James Version of The Holy Bible is the most beautiful translation.

    Lastly, I agree with TomVols, who wrote some time ago: 'However, some go to the extreme and cut out "propitiation" and "atonement" and "inerrancy" which they should not do because these are Biblically necessary terms.'

    God Bless You This Labor Day And Always!
     
    #42 church mouse guy, Aug 30, 2002
  3. Rosa

    Rosa New Member

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    I don't exactaly pray in EE but I do use Thee and Thou in prayer. I also pray with Psalms out of the KJV. Alot of the older people in our church use Thee and Thou when addressing The Lord so it doesn't seem out of place where I go to church.
     
    #43 Rosa, Aug 31, 2002
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Whether using the Jacobean English of the AV1611 or any of the modern versions, the same message comes through clearly in the verse.

    WORD DO NOT MATTER. The Spirit of God will take the inner thoughts and feelings and burdens, crafting them into a heavenly languages unexpressable in any language.

    Pray from the heart and God will hear with using modern or archaic English, modern or archaic Latin, French, Spanish . . .
     
    #44 Dr. Bob, Sep 2, 2002
  5. Mrs KJV

    Mrs KJV <img src =/MrsKJV.gif>

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    I have a friend that is a literature scholar and he talks like this alot. I think it is great. You know that this really is [​IMG] more pure English them what we have nowdays. Everyone is using Slang.
     
    #45 Mrs KJV, Sep 21, 2002
  6. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    A better way of saying the above is:
    Personally, I shift between the centuries depending on the formality of the occasion. I don't change the verb forms but I do use Thou, Thee and Thy in addressing the Godhead when I am called on to give an Invocation or otherwise lead in public prayer.

    Hoping to shed more light than heat,
    Robertsson
     
    #46 Squire Robertsson, Sep 30, 2002
  7. Deekay

    Deekay New Member

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    I certainly don't have any problem with a person who prays in Elizabethan English. He's praying for God's glory after all, not my approval. I only have a problem if that person looks down on those who pray in modern English, as not being honoring enough to the Lord. Enough of these "I'm-more-spiritual-than-you" contests, please. :rolleyes:
     
    #47 Deekay, Sep 30, 2002
  8. jonmagee

    jonmagee New Member

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    I am so thankful that the Lord understands me whatever the language. The main issue is that we are praying to Him, and not the congregation. Let us be understanding of those who find it easier to pray in a particular language.
    yours in Him, Jon
     
    #48 jonmagee, Oct 20, 2002
  9. Pete

    Pete New Member

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    I have been biting my tongue...er...keyboard, however can do so no longer...

    WHAT ABOUT HEBREW???

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Sorry.....

    Pete :D
     
    #49 Pete, Nov 11, 2002
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