Prayers from the Early Church

Praying with the Early Church. The Early Church – over the first seven or eight centuries – was a time of contrasts – from persecution under aggressive atheism, to the slow and steady disintegration of the Roman Empire, and the end of stability, at a time when Christianity was slowly finding its feet, while being blamed for everything from cannibalism to the fall of Rome.

Against this though were devised some of the most powerful prayers ever written, for Christians who saw themselves as part of a church across the world and down through the ages in one great Community. A Community which of course includes us in West Hendon today.

These prayers were written down, and are widely in active use, although less often in England. This short course will look at some of them, and provide guidance on using them in Hendon in the 21st century.

The Course which will feature the handouts below is divided into three sessions as follows:

• Praying through the Day: Morning, Noon and Night.
• Preparation for Holy Communion.
• Advent and the Coming of Christ.

Evenings last about an hour, including Compline, the opportunity to ask questions, and handouts of actual prayers.