I met Michael when we were in first grade. He was a shy kid; his parents were deaf and his house quiet. The percussion instruments we used in Music Class made him cry. Throughout our school years, Michael and I were friends and he introduced me to his world as the Child of Deaf Adults (CODA). Along with this introduction to a new culture came the gift of American Sign Language. While I never reached the proficiency level of Michael, I had fun learning a few signs so that he and I could “secretly communicate” across the crowded lunchroom. 

But Michael’s gift of ASL came to good use when my high school English teacher assigned each of us to present a poem, any poem, and “act it out” any way we wanted. Michael and I chose “The Lord’s Prayer” as our poem base and altered it to include the signs that were visual reminders of God’s grace and glory.

Our Father

We reach across our hearts, shoulder to shoulder, hands crossed as the fingers stretch out

In Heaven

Our palms on the earth God created, crossing and spreading upward

Hallowed be Thy Name

Joined fingers touching the palm, turning towards the sky, then coming humbly down to the blessed name 

Your Kingdom Come

The sash of royalty, shoulder to waist, we spread our hands over the earth, a crooked finger calling to God

Your Will be Done

A hand raised up, ready to receive, scurrying across the realm of God

On Earth

The first Creation, made for us, rotating on its form

As it is in Heaven

Two fingers out, circling up to God

Give us This Day

Crossing over the heart and rising up towards Heaven as the sun rises and sets

Our Daily Bread

We circle the cheek, a gift of manna to slice each day

And Forgive Us Our Sins

Erase our errors and mistakes with rounded motions

As We Forgive Those Who Have Sinned Against Us

We complete the circle of forgiveness, closing it

Save Us From a Time of Trial

The cross is broken, the time has ended, we struggle in sin no longer

Deliver Us From Evil

We reach up and pass it down to share, shoulder to shoulder,  avoiding the sharpness of sin

For the Kingdom

A reverent touch to the forehead, a bow to the sash of the King who rules over the firmament of all the earth

And the Power

Held within Your hands

And the Glory

The spendor above, floating away

Forever

We honor our God, and push towards Eternity

Amen

And close our hands in peace.