Clement of Rome's Prayer For All Kind of Needs (1 Clement)

 From Early Christian Prayers, edited by A. Hamman, O.F. M. (1961)

May he who created everything keep the number of his chosen people, throughout the world, up to the strength he fixed for them through his dear Child, Jesus Christ. Through him he called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge of the glory of his name. We have confidence in you: you were at the beginning of creation; you have opened our inward eyes to give us knowledge of you, who alone are the Most High, in highest heaven, the Holy One, at ease among the holy.

You curb the arrogance of the proud, frustrate the designs of the Gentiles, lift up the modest and bring the mighty down, give riches and poverty, death and life. You alone watch over the interests of spiritual beings, you are the God of all flesh. You gaze into the depths you watch what men are doing. You are our help in danger, you save the despairing, Creator and Keeper of all that is spiritual. You give increase to the peoples of the earth, and from them all you chose us out to love you, through Jesus Christ, your dear Child, who brought us instruction, holiness and honour.

We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us. Deliver the oppressed, pity the insignificant, raise the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the sick, bring back those of your people who have gone astray, feed the hungry, lift up the weak, take off the prisoners’ chains. May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your Child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture.

You have shown by what you have made and done how the world has been planned from eternity. The earth is your creation, Lord, yours that are true to every generation, just when you judge, your strength and splendour a marvel. Such competence yours in creating, such skill in setting firm the things you make, your goodness apparent in this world to see. You are loyal to those who trust you, merciful, compassionate. Forgive us our sins, our injustice, Our falls, our jarring deeds.

Do not count every one of your servants’ sins, but cleanse us with the cleanness of your truth and guide our steps in…inward holiness, that so we may do what is just and pleasing’ to you and to our rulers. Let us see your face, sovereign Master, and we shall peacefully pursue what is good, protected by your strong hand, kept from all sin by your mighty arm, preserved from those who hate us without cause. Give concord and peace to us and to all living on the earth, as you gave them to our fathers when they prayed to you, believing truly, ready to obey the All Powerful, the All Holy.

To those who rule and lead us on the earth you, sovereign Master, have given their authority and kingship —so marvellous that power of yours words fail to express— that seeing the glory and honour you have provided for them, we should be subject to their rule, not resisting your will. Grant them, Lord, the health, peace, concord and stability to use aright the sovereignty you have bestowed on them. For you, King of heaven, Lord of the ages, you it is that give to mortal men glory, honour and power over what is on the earth. Lord, make their counsels conform to what is good and pleasing to you, that using with reverence, peacefully, gently, the power you have given them, that they may find favour with you.

You alone have the means to do this for us, this and more than this. We thank you for it through Jesus Christ, the High Priest, our souls’ Protector. Glory and splendor be yours through him, now at this moment, in every generation, age after age. Amen.