While the NT contains a number of prayers, do we know anything about how the early Christians prayed? I would like to imitate them—if only I could be confident of their practice. Any wisdom you can share?

When we read the (abundant) Christian documents from the early centuries of the faith, here is what we find. These observations pertain especially to the church in the middle of the third century.

  • Prayer in the ancient world was normally offered in the standing position.
  • Hands were usually raised.
  • Eyes were open, directed upward.

You might think it wouldn't have been obvious at first glance whether the person praying was a pagan or a Christian. Yet there were several differences.

  • While the pagans focused on precise wording, the Christian style was informal, uneven, spontaneous. They prayed from the heart, and did not make prayers into formulae intended to manipulate the Deity to granting their wishes.
  • While some pagan clergy monitored prayers to ensure the words were uttered perfectly, there was not such oversight in the churches.
  • While pagans prayed individually, Christians also prayed corporately. Faith is not only vertical (in relation to God), but also horizontal (one-another relationships).
  • All social classes were mixed together, praying together, exchanging the kiss of peace, and striving to genuinely love one another.
  • Considering the stratification of society—with two thirds living at or below subsistence level (around half of these were slaves!)—this was a startling phenomenon.
  • Further, Christians were told to reconcile with their brothers before coming to prayer—lest their anger invalidate or weaken the prayers of the group.

Several other points may be made:

  • Occasionally Christians standing side-by-side prayed simultaneously. While this may have resulted in a disorderly cacophony, it may have also led to a tighter, more loving fellowship. For example, more affluent disciples hearing a poorer one beg the Lord to meet his needs may have been moved to share their own wealth.
  • It does not seem that prayers closed out with the words “in Jesus’ name.” Like the prayers in the NT, this (much) later addition was lacking.
  • The Lord’s Prayer was frequently said, privately as well as publicly. (After all, it begins “Our Father…”)

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