First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Pray for Understanding I gnatius to P olycarp 1: Having obtained solid evidence that your mind is fixed on God as an immovable rock, I greatly rejoice that I have been thought worthy of your blameless face. May I ever enjoy it in God! I urge you by the grace with which you are clothed to press forward in your race and to encourage all so that they may be saved. Uphold your ministry with all care both in the flesh and spirit. Concern yourself with preserving unity for nothing else is better. Endure with all even as the Lord does with you. Support all in love as also you do. Give yourself to prayer without ceasing. Ask for greater understanding than what you already have. Be watchful with a sleepless spirit. Speak to everyone separately as God enables you. Bear the misery of all as a complete athlete. Where there is great pain there is more gain.