First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 6: The Church

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succeed in God. And remember the church in Syria, from whom I am not worthy to derive my name. For I stand in need of your united prayer to God and of your love that the church which is in Syria may be refreshed by the prayer of your church. Pray Together F irst C lement 58: May God who sees all things and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh—who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be an unusual people—grant to every soul that calls upon His glorious and holy Name faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the pleasure of His Name, through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honor, both now and forevermore. Amen. I gnatius to the T rallians 12: I greet you from Smyrna, together with the churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My chains, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may reach God), exhort you. Continue in harmony among yourselves and in prayer with one another. It is fitting for each of you, and especially for the elders, to refresh the bishop, to the honor of the Father of Jesus Christ and of the apostles. I implore you in love to hear me that I may not be a testimony against you by what is written. And do also pray for me who has need of your love along with the mercy of God. Pray that I may be worthy of the portion for which I am destined, and that I may not be found a sinner.