If you are one of those evangelicals who think that the early Fathers were just a bunch of sacramentalists who lost the truth until Luther rediscovered it, then read, or should I say “pray” this chapter from 1 Clement 59. It will continue the next two days.
3 “Grant us, Lord, to hope on your name, which is the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts, that we may know you, who alone is “Highest among the high, and remains Holy among the holy.” You “humble the pride of the proud;” you “destroy the plans of nations;” you “exalt the humble” and “humble the exalted;” you “make rich and make poor;” you “kill and make alive.” You alone are the Benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh, who “looks into the depths,” who scans the works of man; the Helper of those who are in peril, the “Savior of those in despair;” the Creator and Guardian of every spirit, who multiplies the nations upon the earth, and from among all of them have chosen those who love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved Servant, through whom you instructed us, sanctified us, honored us. 4 We ask you, Master, to be “our helper and protector.” Save those among us who are in distress; have mercy on the humble; raise up the fallen; show yourself to those in need; heal the godless; turn back those of your people who wander; feed the hungry; release our prisoners; raise up the weak; comfort the discouraged. “Let all the nations know that you are the only God,” that Jesus Christ is your servant, and that “we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.”