English
One of the oldest Christian prayers
Composed by Pope Clement I around 90 ad.
One of the oldest Christian prayers
Composed by Pope Clement I around 90 ad.
Apart from the many prayers found in the scriptures, this prayer written by St Clement of Rome at the end of the 1st century is considered to be the oldest. It closes the letter to the Corinthians.
St Clement is celebrated on 23rd November by the Catholic Church. He was the fourth pope of the Church and, according to St. Irenaeus, he had personally known St. Peter and St. Paul.
As Bishop of Rome, and therefore Pope, he sent a letter to the community of Corinth to exhort it in the ways of the Gospel. Indeed, the local Church was then strongly divided and even scandalized pagans. With this letter, which was included in the New Testament until the 5th century, before being withdrawn and then disappearing until the 17th century, Clement seeks to appease the conflicts that are tearing the Christian community apart.
He concludes his epistle with this long prayer which is still relevant for us today:
Let us pray and implore unrelentingly:
We beg you, Master,
be our help and strength.
Save those among us who are oppressed,
have pity on the lowly,
and lift up the fallen.
Heal the sick,
bring back the straying,
and feed the hungry.
Release those in prison,
steady those who falter,
and strengthen the fainthearted.
Let all nations come to know you, the one God,
with your Son Jesus Christ,
and us your people and sheep of your pasture.
Do not keep count of the sins of your servants,
but purify us through the bath of your truth
and direct our steps.
Help us to walk in holiness of heart,
and to do what is good and pleasing in your sight
and in the eyes of our rulers.
Master, let your face shine on us
to grant us every good in peace,
protect us by your powerful hand,
deliver us from every evil by the might of your arm.
Grant us and all who dwell on this earth
peace and harmony, O Lord.
Free us from those who hate us unjustly.
Only you can do all this, and even more so for us.
We thank you by the high priest and the protector of our souls, Jesus Christ.
Through him, glory and power to you, now, from age to age,
and for centuries to come.
- Philip Kosloski - Published on 27/12/17 - Updated on 11/22/20
