PRAYERS
of the
EARLY CHURCH
Edited by
J. MANNING POTTS
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THE UPPER ROOM
The World’s Most Widely Used Devotional Guide
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville 5, Tennessee
Copyright, 1953
by
The Upper Room
Nashville, Tennessee
UR-74-50-1053-10
Printed in the United States of America
Preface
Demand for books of prayers has caused this book to be compiled. The
experience of The Upper Room in publishing Ralph S. Cushman’s _A Pocket
Book of Prayer_ with its sale of over a million copies and the reaction
from the publication of other prayer books have prompted the editor to
collect and arrange these prayers. There are prayers of our Lord, the
apostles, the martyrs, and the saints covering the period of the Early
Church from its beginning through the fifth century. There are some
prayers from each of the first five centuries. The treasure house from
which to choose is almost unlimited. It is a vast and fruitful field and
anyone is amply rewarded who delves into it.
The prayers have been selected primarily for their spiritual and
devotional content. Many have been laid aside with regret that they
could not be included in this book, but its compass in size is set and
only so many can be used.
The prayers are arranged chronologically. Some other method of
arrangement might have been chosen but this seemed good in order to
represent each century. There are questions about the date and
authorship of the prayers. They are the same questions that arise in
reference to the Books of the Bible.
This book of prayers is published with the hope and prayer that it may
have wide use. It has been prepared for individual and family devotions.
It can be used with prayer groups in prayer meetings, for cells, and, of
course, for the development of one’s own personal spiritual life. The
material is perfect for use in the devotional services of young people’s
groups, women’s groups, and men’s clubs. The prayers are excellent for
insertion in church bulletins. Other ways will be found of making these
great prayers usable.
The prayers have been collected from many old books of prayers and
devotional materials. The editor is deeply indebted to all those who
have ploughed the field before. They have labored and we have entered
into their labors. It has been a joy to search out the material, to
arrange the prayers, to put them in order, and to index them under so
many subjects.
J. Manning Potts
Editor, _THE UPPER ROOM_
Nashville, Tennessee
Contents
Chapter I
FIRST CENTURY PRAYERS 7
1. New Testament Prayers 8
Simeon, Mary, Jesus, Stephen, Paul, Peter.
2. Other First Century Prayers 15
Clement of Rome, Clementine Liturgy, Syrian Clementine
Liturgy.
Chapter II
SECOND CENTURY PRAYERS 21
Polycarp, Ignatius, Liturgy of St. James, Barnabas, Clement of
Alexandria, Irenaeus.
Chapter III
THIRD CENTURY PRAYERS 31
Old Gallican Sacramentary, Liturgy of St. Mark, Eastern Church
Liturgy, Eastern Church Vespers.
Chapter IV
FOURTH CENTURY PRAYERS 41
Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril, Ambrose, Nerses of Clajes,
Gallican Sacramentary, Armenian Liturgy, Basil, Chrysostom,
Augustine, Apostolic Constitutions.
Chapter V
FIFTH CENTURY PRAYERS 77
Liturgy of the Nestorians, Ancient Collect, Leonine
Sacramentary, Gelasian Sacramentary, Liturgy of the Blessed
Apostles.
Chapter I
FIRST CENTURY PRAYERS
1. New Testament Prayers
The Prayer of Simeon
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy
word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the
glory of thy people Israel.
—Luke 2:29.
The Magnificat
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his
handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is
his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to
generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the
proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty
from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the
hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath
holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
—Luke 1:46-54.
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless
not as I will, but as thou wilt. O my Father, if this cup may not pass
away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
—Matt. 26:39, 42.
Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify
thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished
the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me
with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the
world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me
out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they
have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou
hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which
thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that
I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
—John 17:1-8.
Jesus Prays From the Cross
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
—Luke 23:34.
Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.
—Luke 23:46.
Prayer of Stephen
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin
to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
—Acts 7:59-60.
That Christ May Dwell in Your Hearts
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and
love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making
mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what
the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is
the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according
to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he
raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the
heavenly places.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would
grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with
might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your
hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able
to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be
glory forever and ever. Amen.
—Epistle to the Ephesians 1:15-20; 3:14-21.
For Friends and Relatives
O God, the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom
every family in heaven and earth is named, thou who hast set the
solitary in families, grant to all members of this family and to all the
members of our different families, that, according to the riches of thy
glory, we may be strengthened with might by thy Spirit in the inner man;
that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and
grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of
Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the
fulness of God; through the eternal Christ our Saviour. Amen.
—_Adapted_: Ephesians 1:17; 3:15-19.
For a Knowledge of God’s Will
O Almighty God, we are confident of this very thing, that he which hath
begun a good work in us, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
we pray that our love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in
all judgment; that we may approve things that are excellent; that we may
be sincere and without offense, till the day of Christ, being filled
with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the
glory and praise of God. Amen.
—_Adapted_: Philippians 1:6-11.
Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake
O Lord, our heavenly Father, grant to thy children who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake that our conversation may be as becometh the
Gospel of Christ; that we may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the Gospel; that in nothing terrified
by our adversaries we may be steadfast in behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake, who liveth forever and
ever. Amen.
—_Adapted_: Philippians 1:27-29.
For Spiritual Desires
Our Father, we most humbly beseech Thee to give unto this house, and
unto each member of it in particular, to stand fast in the Lord. May we
be of the same mind in the Lord. May we rejoice in the Lord alway. Grant
that whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, if there be any praise, may we think on these things,
may we know both how to be abased, and how to abound. May we do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth us, knowing that God shall
supply all our need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Amen.
—_Adapted_: Philippians 4.
Patience and Longsuffering
For this cause we also, ... do not cease to pray for you, and to desire
that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to his glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving
thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power
of darkness, and hath translated us unto the kingdom of his dear Son: in
whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
—_Adapted_: Epistles to the Colossians 1:9-14 and Philippians 4:20.
Begotten to a Lively Hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according
to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for us. Keep us by the power of God through faith unto salvation;
that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Amen.
—_Adapted_: First Peter 1:3-7.
2. Other First Century Prayers
For All Kings and Rulers
Grant unto all Kings and Rulers, O Lord, health, peace, concord, and
stability, that they may administer the government which Thou hast given
them without failure. For Thou, O heavenly Master, King of the Ages,
givest to the sons of men glory and honour, and power over all things
that are upon the earth. Do Thou, Lord, direct their counsel according
to that which is good and well pleasing in Thy sight, that administering
in peace and gentleness, with godliness, the power which Thou hast given
them, they may obtain Thy favour. O Thou Who alone art able to do these
things, and things far more exceeding good than these, for us, we praise
Thee, through the High Priest and Guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ;
through Whom be the glory and the majesty, unto Thee, both now and for
all generations, and forever and ever. Amen.
—Clement of Rome.
A Morning Prayer
O God, Who art the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of
love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, Who
sendest peace to those that receive it; open to us this day the sea of
Thy love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Thy
grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us
the fire of Thy love; sow in us Thy fear; strengthen our weakness by Thy
power; bind us closely to Thee and to each other in one firm bond of
unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Syrian Clementine Liturgy.
For Rulers and Governors
To our rulers and governors on the earth—to them Thou, Lord, gavest the
power of the kingdom by Thy glorious and ineffable might, to the end
that we may know the glory and honour given to them by Thee and be
subject to them, in nought resisting Thy will; to them, Lord, give
health, peace, concord, stability, that they may exercise the authority
given to them without offence. For Thou, O heavenly Lord and King
eternal, givest to the sons of men glory and honour and power over the
things that are on the earth; do Thou, Lord, direct their counsel
according to that which is good and well-pleasing in Thy sight, that,
devoutly in peace and meekness exercising the power given them by Thee,
they may find Thee propitious. O Thou, who only hast power to do these
things and more abundant good with us, we praise Thee through the High
Priest and Guardian of our souls Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and
majesty to Thee both now and from generation to generation and
forevermore. Amen.
—Clement of Rome.
For Blessings
May God, who seeth all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and
the Lord of all flesh—who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him
to be a peculiar people—grant to every soul that calleth upon His
glorious and holy Name, faith, peace, patience, long-suffering,
self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His Name,
through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him
glory, and majesty, and power, and honour, both now and forevermore.
Amen.
—Clement of Rome.
For Forgiveness
Thou didst make to appear the enduring fabric of the world by the works
of Thy hand; Thou, Lord, didst create the earth on which we dwell,—Thou,
who art faithful in all generations, just in judgments, wonderful in
strength and majesty, with wisdom creating and with understanding fixing
the things which were made, who art good among them that are being saved
and faithful among them whose trust is in Thee; O merciful and
Compassionate One, forgive us our iniquities and offences and
transgressions and trespasses. Reckon not every sin of Thy servants and
handmaids, but Thou wilt purify us with the purification of Thy truth;
and direct our steps that we may walk in holiness of heart and do what
is good and well-pleasing in Thy sight and in the sight of our rulers.
Yea, Lord, make Thy face to shine upon us for good in peace, that we may
be shielded by Thy mighty hand and delivered from every sin by Thine
uplifted arm, and deliver us from those who hate us wrongfully. Give
concord and peace to us and all who dwell upon the earth, even as Thou
gavest to our fathers, when they called upon Thee in faith and truth,
submissive as we are to Thine almighty and all-excellent Name. Amen.
—Clement of Rome.
Prayer Before Partaking of the Holy Sacrament
O God, who art great, great in name and counsel, powerful in Thy works,
the God and Father of Thy Holy Son Jesus, our Saviour, look upon us, Thy
flock, which Thou hast chosen through Him to the glory of Thy Name;
sanctify us in body and soul, and grant that we, being purified from all
filthiness of flesh and spirit, may partake of the mystic blessings now
going before Thee, and judge none of us unworthy of them, but be Thou
our Supporter, our Helper, and Defender, through Thy Christ, with whom
glory, honour, laud, praise, thanksgiving, be to Thee and the Holy Ghost
forever. Amen.
—The Clementine Liturgy.
A Pure Heart
O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Thine only begotten
Son, give me a body unstained, a pure heart, a watchful mind, and an
upright understanding, and the presence of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may
obtain and ever hold fast to an unshaken faith in Thy Truth, through
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord; through whom be glory to Thee in the
Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.
—The Clementine Liturgy.
For Joy and Gladness
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who hast nourished me from my youth up, who
givest food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that
we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every
good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom to Thee be glory,
honour, might, majesty, and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.
—The Clementine Liturgy.