A powerful prayer offered to God since at least 135 AD on Rosh Hashana, the Ten Days of Awe and Yom Kippur is called “Avenu Malkeinu,” meaning “Our Father, Our King.” The prayer consists of up to 42 heartfelt petitions, each beginning with the address, “Our Father, our King.” Portions are usually sung to a traditional melody almost haunting in its depth. Like most Jewish prayers, petition is meant to be made not only on behalf of an individual supplicant, but for all Israel. As such, Avinu Malkeinu can be a soul stirring and profoundly relevant prayer for the Church today. It articulates a cry for salvation on every level in times of evil and persecution against God’s people.
In the 3 minute video below, Barbra Steisand sings a condensed portion of the traditional melody. The anointing on Ms. Streisand’s intercessory song is palpable and reflected in the response of her Israeli audience. Watch and see if you don’t agree! (As you pray for Israel’s salvation, please pray specifically for her; at one time she supposedly expressed belief in Yeshua.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydxePZKCyvo
From now through Yom Kippur, you may want to join my people in echoing this ancient prayer in Yeshua’s name.
Avinu Malkeinu
Our Father, our King, we have sinned before You.
Our Father, our King, we have no King but You.
Our Father, our King, deal with us for the sake of Your name.
Our Father, our King, may the new year be good for us.
Our Father, our King, nullify all evil decrees against us.
Our Father, our King, render the counsel of our enemies of no effect.
Our Father, our King, nullify the designs of those who hate us.
Our Father, our King, nullify the designs of those who hate us.
Our Father, our King, close the mouths of our adversaries and accusers.
Our Father, our King, overcome our oppressors and adversaries.
Our Father, our King, withhold plague from Your inheritance.
Our Father, our King, forgive and pardon all our iniquities.
Our Father, our King, blot out our transgressions from before Your eyes.
Our Father, our King, return us in repentance to You.
Our Father, our King, destroy the evil judgment decreed against us.
Our Father, our King, let Your remembrance of us be for good.
Our Father, our King, inscribe us in the book* of good life.
Our Father, our King, inscribe us in the book of redemption and salvation.
Our Father, our King, inscribe us in the book of maintenance and sustenance.
Our Father, our King, inscribe us in the book of merit.
Our Father, our King, inscribe us in the book of forgiveness and pardon.
Our Father, our King, let salvation soon spring forth for us.
Our Father, our King, raise up the strength of Israel, Your people.
Our Father, our King, raise up the strength of Your Anointed.
Our Father, our King, fill our storehouses with plenty.
Our Father, our King, hear our voice, spare us and have mercy on us.
Our Father, our King, receive our prayer in mercy and with favor.
Our Father, our King, open the gates of heaven to our prayer.
Our Father, our King, turn us not back empty from Your presence.
Our Father, our King, remember that we are but dust.
Our Father, our King, have compassion on us, our children and infants.
Our Father, our King, do this for the sake of those slain for Your sake.
Our Father, our King, do it for Your sake, if not for ours.
Our Father, our King, do it for Your sake and save us.
Our Father, our King, do it for the sake of Your Name by which we are called.
Our Father, our King, be gracious to us and answer us, for we have no good works of our own; deal with us mercifully and save us.
* Jewish tradition teaches that God opens books of judgment on Rosh HaShana and closes them on Yom Kippur.