“For mine is the bitter, the ale and the lager”: Parodic prayer and the spirituality of humour

In 2001, two prominent Anglican pastors caused consternation by publishing parodic versions of the Lord’s Prayer. Given centrality prayer in Christianspirituality, objections are to be expected when humour is applied a text. This article argues that prayers can have place Christian spirituality, particularly they viewed through lenses literary understandings parody, ecclesial history, and studies. particular, these texts best understood recognising laughter many meanings, express shape relationships. Although genre little known at present, belong long tradition, most French Latin 11th 16th centuries. reviews showing medieval arose from within Church often expressed ethical concerns satire. They couldalso go further, speaking relationship with God heart spirituality. The then examines contemporary examples parodicprayers, arguing confluence faith parodies still possible potentially salutary today, both furthering work justice expanding religious imagination. shows realm spirit not only tolerate humour, but also welcome thrive them.