1 h 54 minAudiobook5 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What words do the first Christians turn to in worship, at meals, and in hard times?
Prayers of the Early Church gathers short, plain Christian prayers from the first centuries of the faith. Edited by J. Manning Potts, the collection brings together voices from early church writers, congregational worship, and teachers of new believers. These are words for shared worship and life at home, long before printed prayer books exist.
The collection opens a way into the Jewish roots of early Christian prayer: the Psalms, thanks at meals, and prayer at set hours. Praise returns as a central theme. As you move among these different voices, you can consider what early believers ask of God and how their words might serve your own prayer today.
What you’ll discover
- The Jewish roots Explore the Psalms, meal blessings, and daily rhythms that shape the first believers’ prayers.
- Voices from early worship Encounter prayers drawn from congregations, early church writers, and teachers who guide new believers.
- Praise at the center Notice how praise returns across prayers from different voices in the early church.
- Words for ordinary life Find short prayers used at home, at meals, in worship, and through hard times.
- A slower devotional rhythm Read one prayer aloud and let each phrase settle before moving to the next.
Who will love it
You will love this if you enjoy quiet morning reading, want words for your own prayers, or like hearing how early believers spoke to God in danger, thanks and hope.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- The first prayers come from the New Testament
- Paul and Peter pray for other people
- Clement of Rome prays for rulers and for pardon
- In the second century, prayer meets martyrdom
- Church services of the third century give prayers for all
- The fourth century brings Augustine and the Apostolic Constitutions
- Fifth century collects teach short, clear prayer
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet, computer or Kindle, with the type as large as you like.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
- Audiobook
- 1 h 54 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 5 minutes, to read or to hear.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
eBooks and audiobooks open right away. Download EPUB or PDF, or send the book to your Kindle. Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then 0,14 USD a day in your first year on the yearly plan and 0,27 USD a day after, or 0,66 USD a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
25 languages, side by side
Read and hear Preghiere della Chiesa primitiva in 25 languages and switch at any time. Or read two side by side, paragraph by paragraph: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
Preghiere della Chiesa primitiva
by J. Manning Potts (a cura di)
Polycarp thanks God for a place among the martyrs, and Augustine finds his restless heart at rest.
Medium levelUnder 2 hours to read25 languages
Excellent
- Read or listen
- 25 languages, side by side
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeFree for 3 months, then 0,14 USD a dayCancel anytimeHow it works
In short
Polycarp thanks God for a place among the martyrs, and Augustine finds his restless heart at rest. What did Christians say to God in the first five centuries?
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
The first prayers come from the New Testament
The book opens with prayers taken straight from the Gospels and Acts. Simeon asks to depart in peace. Mary sings the Magnificat, praising a God who lifts the lowly and fills the hungry.
The most moving prayers belong to Jesus himself. In the garden of Gethsemane he asks that the cup pass from him, yet he places his Father's will first. In his long prayer in the Gospel of John he speaks of eternal life as knowing God. On the cross he asks forgiveness for those who hurt him and commends his spirit into his Father's hands.
Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime
Free gifts
580 USD in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
170 USDFREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
120 USDFREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
60 USDFREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
60 USDFREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
170 USDFREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about Preghiere della Chiesa primitiva
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy the printed book?
Soon. The paperback, hardcover and large print editions are being prepared. Choose Paperback or Hardcover above, leave your email, and we tell you the day you can order it, printed at cost.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What is Prayers of the Early Church about?
It is a collection of prayers from the first five centuries of Christianity. They come from the New Testament, from church leaders and martyrs, and from ancient church services, and they are arranged by century.
Who wrote the prayers in this book?
Many people did. They include Jesus, Mary, Stephen and Paul, then Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Ignatius, Ambrose, Basil, Chrysostom and Augustine. Some come from church services whose authors are not named.
What is a collect?
A collect is a short prayer of one sentence or so. It asks for a single thing and usually ends through Jesus Christ our Lord. Many fifth century prayers in this book take that form.
More by J. Manning Potts (a cura di)
All 2 booksMore like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
