Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine: Learning the Language of Prayer

Prayer can come in many forms, and we know that God invites all to come to him.

In the LDS church, we do not use a set of memorized prayers when we communicate with our Heavenly Father personally in prayer, but we are instructed to use worshipful language when addressing our Father in Heaven.  

Today, we are lucky to hear from my friend Alana Lee, who is going to teach us how to use worshipful, respectful language while praying.  

(If thou thinkest that thou needest not this post, thou shouldst think again!  We can all use a refresher course, right?!)  :)

Alana has also created an easy-to-reference bookmark to help us navigate the language of prayer.  (You can download it here or at the end of this post.)

Here's Alana:

Having our language reflect our respect of Diety is part of our quest to become perfect like our Savior, and as part of our mortal progression toward perfection, we need to learn the proper language of prayer.  

When Christ prayed to His Father, he set the example by using Thee, Thou, Thy and Thine.

Elder Oaks explains the why in his Apr 1993 Conference address: “The Language of Prayer." He says:

     "The words we use in speaking to someone can identify the nature of our relationship to that person. They can also remind speaker and listener of the responsibilities they owe one another in that relationship. The form of address can also serve as a mark of respect or affection. 

"So it is with the language of prayer. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches its members to use special language in addressing prayers to our Father in Heaven. 

"When we go to worship in a temple or a church, we put aside our working clothes and dress ourselves in something better. This change of clothing is a mark of respect. Similarly, when we address our Heavenly Father, we should put aside our working words and clothe our prayers in special language of reverence and respect. In offering prayers in the English language, members of our Church do not address our Heavenly Father with the same words we use in speaking to a fellow worker, to an employee or employer, or to a merchant in the marketplace. We use special words that have been sanctified by use in inspired communications, words that have been recommended to us and modeled for us by those we sustain as prophets and inspired teachers. 

     

"Perhaps some who are listening to this sermon in English are already saying, “But this is unfamiliar and difficult. Why should we have to use words that have not been in common use in the English language for hundreds of years? If we require a special language of prayer in English, we will discourage the saying of prayers by little children, by new members, and by others who are just learning to pray.” 

     

"Brothers and sisters, the special language of prayer is much more than an artifact of the translation of the scriptures into English. Its use serves an important, current purpose. We know this because of modern revelations and because of the teachings and examples of modern prophets. The way we pray is important. 

     

"I am sure that our Heavenly Father, who loves all of his children, hears and answers all prayers, however phrased. If he is offended in connection with prayers, it is likely to be by their absence, not their phraseology. [This is particularly true with recent converts and young children.] 

    

"The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 22.) The special language of prayer reminds us of the greatness of that privilege. I pray that all of us will be more sensitive to the importance of using this reverent and loving language as we offer our public and private prayers.

Now that we understand the why, let's go over the how.

3 steps for using Respectful language of prayer

1st, Identify any 2^nd Person pronouns: subjective, objective, and possessive. 

Ex 1: I love you (I = subject doing the action, you = object receiving the affection/action of being loved.)

Ex 2: I passed the hymnal to you. (I = subject that actively passes, you = object that receives.)

2nd, replace common pronoun with worshipful pronoun.

You → Thou (subject pronoun), Thee (object pronoun)

Your → Thy (possessive pronoun)

Yours → Thine (possessive pronoun)

3rd, Modify verb ending with –est (usually) when using subjective form “Thou.”

Thou knowest, Thou doest, Thou helpest, Thou gavest, except for these irregulars: Thou art, Thou wilt, Thou hast.

Thou hast given me many blessings.

We give thee praise.

We thank thee for thy goodness and mercy.

We ask thee to bless and sustain thy prophet and apostles.

We seek to emulate thee.

Please help us to understand thy will.

All that is thine can be ours.

  

Other Helps: Doctrine and Covenants Section 109: Dedicatory Prayer of Kirtland Temple.

Using respectful prayer language will come more naturally as you study the scriptures and pay attention to the wording in hymns. Comfortable use will eventually come with practice. Thus, practice in your daily personal and family prayers.

Understanding a seeming contradiction in biblical language:

Exodus 4:15, "THOU shalt speak ... I will be with THY mouth...and will teach YOU what YE shall do." "Thou/Thy" refer to Moses himself, but "You/Ye" refer to the entire nation of Israel. (This example taken from:http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html)

You can DOWNLOAD this Language of Prayer Bookmark by clicking on the links in this post.  Please feel free to pin and share this resource as there aren't any other resources on this topic readily available online.

You can find more resources by Alana here:  
Family Proclamation Treasure Hunt Game Download
Modesty, Purity, and Tolerance

Prayer Language Bookmark