Cloud of Witnesses (eBook)

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Early Church (100–800)

1. The Model Prayer

Jesus of Nazareth, Luke 11:2–4

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.’”

2. Prayer for Loved Ones

Paul the apostle, Philippians 1:3–11

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

3. Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Didache (ca. 100) ☙ 1

Holy Father, we thank you for your holy name, which you have caused to dwell in our hearts. And we thank you for the knowledge and faith and immortality that you have made known to us through Jesus, your servant. To you be glory forever.

You, the Almighty Lord of all, created everything for the sake of your name. You have given food and drink to humanity for their enjoyment so that they would give you thanks. But to us, you have given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through your servant. Above all, we give thanks to you because you are all powerful. To you be glory forever.

Remember, oh Lord, your church, to deliver her from all evil and to perfect her in your love. Gather her from the four winds once she has been sanctified for the kingdom you have prepared for her, for yours is the power and glory forever.

May grace arrive and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come. If he is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

4. Prayer of Hope for the Congregation

Clement of Rome (d. ca. 99) ☙ 2

Grant us, Lord God, a hope in the fount of all creation, your name. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may know you, the highest of the highest, the Holy One who rests among the holy. You are the one who humbles the hubris of the proud, who destroys the philosophies of the nations, who exalts the truly humble to the highest position and lowers the self-exalted, the one who brings wealth and causes poverty, the one who takes life away and makes life happen, the only protector of souls, and the God of all flesh. You are the one who gazes into the unknown depths, who attends the works of humanity, who helps those in danger, the Savior of the hopeless, the creator and overseer of all spirits. You are the one who increases the nations of the earth, and from them all, you have called those who love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, by whom you have discipled, purified, and esteemed us.

We beg of you, Lord, be our helper and our protector. Save those of us who are afflicted, show mercy to the humble, lift up those who have fallen, reveal yourself to the needy, heal the sick, and bring back those of your people who have strayed from your path. Nourish the hungry, redeem our captives, build up the weak, and comfort the discouraged. Let all the peoples know you, that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people, the sheep of your pasture, for you have revealed the timeless foundation of the cosmos through your works. You, Lord, created the world. You are faithful to all generations, righteous in your judgments, wondrous in your power and majesty. You are skillful in what you create and wise in establishing what will be. You are shown to be good in what is seen and kind to those who find their confidence in you. In your mercy and compassion, forgive us for our lawlessness, our unrighteousness, our wrongdoings, our faults.

Consider none of the sins of your male slaves and female slaves. Cleanse us with the washing of your truth and direct our steps that we may proceed with devout hearts so that we may do what is good and pleasing to you and to our rulers.

Yes, Lord, reveal your face to us in peace for our benefit so that we may be covered by your mighty hand and rescued from all our sins by your sovereign arm. Rescue us from those who hate us unjustly. Grant harmony and peace to us and to all the residents of this earth, just as you granted to our fathers when they devoutly called on you in faith and truth. And grant that we may be obedient to your almighty and most honored name and to our earthly rulers and congregational leaders.

You, Lord, have given our leaders the authority to rule by your magnificent and indescribable power so that we may comprehend the glory and honor you have given them, but also so that we may be subject to them, not fighting against your will. Lord, give them health, peace, harmony, and stability so that they might righteously oversee the stewardship you have given them.

For you, Lord, heavenly, eternal King, grant to us (mere humans) glory, honor, and authority over the earthly creatures. You, Lord God, direct our plans according to what is good and pleasing to you so that when we righteously govern, in peace and gentleness, the stewardship you have given us, we may experience your mercy. You who alone has the ability to accomplish all of these things for us and to do what is even more exceedingly good, we praise you through the high priest and defender (protector, patron) of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom the glory and majesty be yours now and for all generations and for all time. Amen.

5. Prayer of Intercession

Polycarp (69–155) ☙ 3

May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal high priest, build you up in faith and truth and in all meekness, without anger, with patience and long-suffering and tolerance and self-control. May he grant you an inheritance among his saints. And may he grant that to us also and to all who will believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ and in his Father who raised him from the dead.

6. Prayer of Martyrdom

Polycarp (69–155) ☙ 3

Oh Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of you, the God of angels and powers and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before you: I give thanks that you have counted me worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of your martyrs, a part in Christ’s cup, that I may be brought into the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption imparted by the Holy Spirit. 

I pray that my death may be received as an acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, having revealed it beforehand to me. Now you have fulfilled it. Thus, I praise you for all things, I bless you, and I glorify you along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, with whom to you and the Holy Spirit be glory both now and for all coming ages. Amen.

7. Prayer for the Church

Hippolytus of Rome (ca. 170–ca. 235) ☙ 4

We ask that you send the Holy Spirit as a holy offering to the holy church. As we assemble, give to all the saints the fullness of the Holy Spirit for the confirmation of true faith so that we may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom glory and honor to the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit in your holy church are yours now and forever! Amen.

8. Prayer before Receiving the Lord’s Supper

The Clementine Liturgy ☙ 5

Oh great and mighty God, unequaled in counsel and in all your mighty works, the God and Father of your holy Son, Jesus, our Savior: Look upon us, your flock, whom you have chosen through him to the glory of your name. Sanctify us in body and soul. Grant that we would be purified from all depravity of the flesh and spirit and that we may receive your good gifts, not having been judged to be unworthy. Be our helper, supporter, and protector through your Christ, with whom to you and to the Holy Spirit be glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving forever. Amen.

9. Prayer for Enemies

The Clementine Liturgy...