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.