Tertullian, On Prayer. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3 (Roberts and Donaldson, 1885), public domain.
Passages · 29
- On Prayer Chapter 1 — General Introduction. III. The Spirit of God, and the Word of God, and the Reason of God—Word of Reason, and Reason and Spirit of Word—Jesus Christ our Lord, namely, who is both the one and the other,—has determined…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 2 — The First Clause. The prayer begins with a testimony to God, and with the reward of faith, when we say, “Our Father who art in the heavens;” for (in so saying), we at once pray to God, and commend faith, whose reward…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 3 — The Second Clause. The name of “God the Father” had been published to none. Even Moses, who had interrogated Him on that very point, had heard a different name. To us it has been revealed in the Son, for the Son is…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 4 — The Third Clause. According to this model, we subjoin, “Thy will be done in the heavens and on the earth;” not that there is some power withstanding to prevent God’s will being done, and we pray for Him the…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 5 — The Fourth Clause. “Thy kingdom come” has also reference to that whereto “Thy will be done” refers—in us, that is. For when does God not reign, in whose hand is the heart of all kings? But whatever we wish for…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 6 — The Fifth Clause. But how gracefully has the Divine Wisdom arranged the order of the prayer; so that after things heavenly—that is, after the “Name” of God, the “Will” of God, and the “Kingdom” of God—it should give…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 7 — The Sixth Clause. It was suitable that, after contemplating the liberality of God, we should likewise address His clemency. For what will aliments profit us, if we are really consigned to them, as it were a bull…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 8 — The Seventh or Final Clause. For the completeness of so brief a prayer He added—in order that we should supplicate not touching the remitting merely, but touching the entire averting, of acts of guilt—“Lead us not…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 9 — Recapitulation. In summaries of so few words, how many utterances of the prophets, the Gospels, the apostles—how many discourses, examples, parables of the Lord, are touched on! How many duties are simultaneously…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 10 — We May Superadd Prayers of Our Own to the Lord's Prayer. Since, however, the Lord, the Foreseer of human necessities, said separately, after delivering His Rule of Prayer, “Ask, and ye shall receive;” and since there…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 11 — When Praying the Father, You are Not to Be Angry with a Brother. That we may not be as far from the ears of God as we are from His precepts, the memory of His precepts paves for our prayers a way unto heaven; of…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 12 — We Must Be Free Likewise from All Mental Perturbation. Nor merely from anger, but altogether from all perturbation of mind, ought the exercise of prayer to be free, uttered from a spirit such as the Spirit unto whom…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 13 — Of Washing the Hands. But what reason is there in going to prayer with hands indeed washed, but the spirit foul?—inasmuch as to our hands themselves spiritual purities are necessary, that they may be “lifted up pure”…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 14 — Apostrophe. Albeit Israel washed daily all his limbs over, yet is he never clean. His hands, at all events, are ever unclean, eternally dyed with the blood of the prophets, and of the Lord Himself; and on that…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 15 — Of Putting Off Cloaks. But since we have touched on one special point of empty observance, it will not be irksome to set our brand likewise on the other points against which the reproach of vanity may deservedly be…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 16 — Of Sitting After Prayer. Again, for the custom which some have of sitting when prayer is ended, I perceive no reason, except that which children give. For what if that Hermas, whose writing is generally inscribed…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 17 — Of Elevated Hands. But we more commend our prayers to God when we pray with modesty and humility, with not even our hands too loftily elevated, but elevated temperately and becomingly; and not even our countenance…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 18 — Of the Kiss of Peace. Another custom has now become prevalent. Such as are fasting withhold the kiss of peace, which is the seal of prayer, after prayer made with brethren. But when is peace more to be concluded with…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 19 — Of Stations. Similarly, too, touching the days of Stations, most think that they must not be present at the sacrificial prayers, on the ground that the Station must be dissolved by reception of the Lord’s Body. Does,…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 20 — Of Women's Dress. So far, however, as regards the dress of women, the variety of observance compels us—men of no consideration whatever—to treat, presumptuously indeed, after the most holy apostle, except in so far…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 21 — Of Virgins. But that point which is promiscuously observed throughout the churches, whether virgins ought to be veiled or no, must be treated of. For they who allow to virgins immunity from head-covering, appear to…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 22 — Answer to the Foregoing Arguments. They who make this concession ought to reflect on the nature of the word itself—what is the meaning of “woman” from the very first records of the sacred writings. Here they find it…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 23 — Of Kneeling. In the matter of kneeling also prayer is subject to diversity of observance, through the act of some few who abstain from kneeling on the Sabbath; and since this dissension is particularly on its trial…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 24 — Of Place for Prayer. But how “in every place,” since we are prohibited (from praying) in public? In every place, he means, which opportunity or even necessity, may have rendered suitable: for that which was done by…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 25 — Of Time for Prayer. Touching the time, however, the extrinsic observance of certain hours will not be unprofitable—those common hours, I mean, which mark the intervals of the day—the third, the sixth, the ninth—which…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 26 — Of the Parting of Brethren. You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.—“Have you seen,” says Scripture, “a brother? you have seen your Lord;”—especially “a stranger,” lest perhaps he be…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 27 — Of Subjoining a Psalm. The more diligent in prayer are wont to subjoin in their prayers the “Hallelujah,” and such kind of psalms, in the closes of which the company respond. And, of course, every institution is…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 28 — Of the Spiritual Victim, Which Prayer is. For this is the spiritual victim which has abolished the pristine sacrifices. “To what purpose,” saith He, “(bring ye) me the multitude of your sacrifices? I am full of…vatican.va
- On Prayer Chapter 29 — Of the Power of Prayer. For what has God, who exacts it ever denied to prayer coming from “spirit and truth?” How mighty specimens of its efficacy do we read, and hear, and believe! Old-world prayer, indeed, used to…vatican.va
Scripture cited · 226 verses
Genesis 2:23 · Genesis 3:6 · Genesis 3:7 · Genesis 3:10 · Genesis 3:11 · Genesis 4:2 · Genesis 4:6 · Genesis 4:7 · Genesis 4:15 · Genesis 4:24 · Genesis 6:2 · Genesis 24:64 · Genesis 24:65 · Genesis 45:24 · Exodus 3:13 · Exodus 3:14 · Exodus 3:15 · Exodus 3:16 · Exodus 17:11 · Exodus 17:12 · Exodus 18:23 · Exodus 33:11 · Deuteronomy 13:6 · Deuteronomy 13:7 · Deuteronomy 13:8 · Deuteronomy 13:9 · Deuteronomy 13:10 · Deuteronomy 33:9 · 1 Kings 8:54 · 2 Kings 4:42 · 2 Kings 4:43 · 2 Kings 4:44 · Tobit 12:12 · Psalm 28:2 · Psalm 51:12 · Psalm 55:17 · Psalm 62:4 · Psalm 103:22 · Psalm 143:6 · Proverbs 21:1 · Isaiah 1:2 · Isaiah 1:11 · Isaiah 1:15 · Isaiah 6:3 · Isaiah 30:18 · Daniel 3:21 · Daniel 6:10 · Hosea 14:2 · Matthew 4:10 · Matthew 5:17 · Matthew 5:21 · Matthew 5:22 · Matthew 5:23 · Matthew 5:44 · Matthew 6:5 · Matthew 6:6 · Matthew 6:8 · Matthew 6:14 · Matthew 6:15 · Matthew 6:16 · Matthew 6:17 · Matthew 6:18 · Matthew 6:32 · Matthew 6:33 · Matthew 6:34 · Matthew 7:7 · Matthew 7:9 · Matthew 9:16 · Matthew 9:17 · Matthew 10:37 · Matthew 11:12 · Matthew 15:10 · Matthew 15:11 · Matthew 15:17 · Matthew 15:18 · Matthew 15:19 · Matthew 15:20 · Matthew 15:26 · Matthew 18:21 · Matthew 18:22 · Matthew 18:23 · Matthew 18:24 · Matthew 18:25 · Matthew 18:26 · Matthew 18:27 · Matthew 18:28 · Matthew 18:29 · Matthew 18:30 · Matthew 18:31 · Matthew 18:32 · Matthew 18:33 · Matthew 18:34 · Matthew 18:35 · Matthew 23:9 · Matthew 23:25 · Matthew 23:26 · Matthew 23:31 · Matthew 24:3 · Matthew 25:38 · Matthew 25:40 · Matthew 25:45 · Matthew 26:26 · Matthew 26:41 · Matthew 27:24 · Mark 2:21 · Mark 2:22 · Mark 7:27 · Mark 9:37 · Mark 14:31 · Luke 1:11 · Luke 4:8 · Luke 5:36 · Luke 5:37 · Luke 6:37 · Luke 10:5 · Luke 11:5 · Luke 11:6 · Luke 11:7 · Luke 11:8 · Luke 11:9 · Luke 11:11 · Luke 11:48 · Luke 12:16 · Luke 12:17 · Luke 12:18 · Luke 12:19 · Luke 12:20 · Luke 12:29 · Luke 14:26 · Luke 18:9 · Luke 18:10 · Luke 18:11 · Luke 18:12 · Luke 18:13 · Luke 18:14 · Luke 22:40 · Luke 22:42 · John 1:12 · John 3:30 · John 3:31 · John 3:32 · John 4:23 · John 4:24 · John 5:43 · John 6:33 · John 6:35 · John 6:38 · John 10:30 · John 12:28 · John 17:6 · John 17:14 · Acts 2:1 · Acts 2:2 · Acts 2:3 · Acts 2:4 · Acts 2:14 · Acts 2:15 · Acts 3:1 · Acts 9:2 · Acts 10:9 · and 66 more