Sunday
The prayers of the first Christians are packed with wisdom! There's so much to uncover and learn from the prayers of Christians in the first few centuries following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus! They lived in a cultural era where being true to their Christian faith presented many challenges. Their resilience and their prayers are truly inspiring. Their example and prayers serve as a compelling reminder of how to move through challenging moments with elegance and strength.
The following prayer is from Clement I, of Rome. It's a beautiful prayer written during the first empire-wide bout of persecution against Christians. You'll discover below a short overview of his work in the church and his original prayer.
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A Prayer from Clement of Rome
Clement died towards the end of the last decade of the first century. Dates of his death range from 96 — 99 a.d. For a few years, as the church was finding its way, he was the leading figure in the church after the time of the apostles. A few believed facts of his life make his story quite interesting:
It is believed he was born in Rome in the year 35 a.d. which is about the time of Paul’s conversion outside of Damascus. That would mean that his life spanned the entire life of the first-century apostolic church.
Being a citizen of Rome, and eventually a Christian, he would have seen Peter and heard Peter’s sermons while Peter led the Christian church in Rome. He would have been in Rome when Peter was marytred in Rome, in the year 64 a.d.
Clement as a young man was a member of the church in Rome. He would have been about 20 years old when Paul wrote and sent his letter to the Romans. Imagine sitting in the church as the letter was read for the first time ever!
With only a few years left in his own life, while John was in exile on the island of Patmos in the first half of the last decade, writing the Revelation, Clement, now bishop of the Roman church, was writing a letter to the church in Corinth to help it with yet another conflict.
Here is this beautiful prayer that he prayed over the church suffering from the persecution of Domitian:
We ask you, Master, be our helper and defender. Rescue those of our number in distress; raise up the fallen; assist the needy; heal the sick; turn back those of your people who stray; feed the hungry; release our captives; revive the weak; encourage those who lose heart. Let all the nations realize that you are the only God, that Jesus Christ is your Child, and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. (Clement I)
Why Christians Pray during Communal Worship
Isn’t singing enough? Isn’t preaching God’s Word enough? Why is it important for Christians to also pray when we gather together to worship?
Praying in the name of Christ names Christ as the one we worship. Here are Clement’s words of witness from his prayer: We are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
Praying encourages believers who are suffering. Look at all the ways sufferings of Christians named by Clement in his prayer. Which one draws your attention today?
Praying infuses boldness into the hearts of believers. Let all the nations realize that you are the only God, that Jesus Christ is your Child.
Praying teaches believers how to pray. Read Clement’s prayer one more time. What are you learning about prayer from this leader’s prayer?
May you be blessed today to be in a worship gathering that prays!