56. Cloud of Witnesses

56. Cloud of Witnesses: A Treasury of Prayers and Petitions Through the Ages. Jonathan W. Arnold (editor) Zechariah Carter (editor). 2024. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [Prayer, devotional, christian nonfiction, history] [5 stars]

First sentence: He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

Cloud of Witnesses is a collection of [historic] prayers. This book of prayer features exactly one hundred prayers covering a wide range of subjects, themes, topics. The book is organized relatively chronological. The first section of the prayer book covers the early church (100-500), the medieval church (600-1500), the reformation church (1500-1700), and finally the modern church (1700-1900). The second section isn't so much a 'prayer book' as a history lesson. It features mini-introductions of all the writers included in the one hundred prayers. Again these mini-biographies are arranged chronologically. They do provide greater context for appreciating the one hundred prayers. The third section is technically the appendix, this section might be the least practical, however it isn't without its charms. This third section features the one hundred prayers in their original languages--or the source material for which these English translations are made. 

If you are looking for a prayer covering a specific topic or subject, there is an index for that.

The prayers vary in length and style. Some are very short, concise, practical. Others are longer--much longer. A few seem a little too wordy to be practical. But overall, I enjoyed reading this devotional prayer book. 

Prayer number 14 (Old Gallican Rite)

Grant holiness to new believers, O Father. Give knowledge to the ignorant. Give aide to those who are running their course. Give sorrow to those who have erred without knowledge. Give passion to those who are lukewarm. To those who are mature, give a good ending. We ask all of this for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, Amen. 

Prayer number 70 (Thomas Cranmer)

Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, allow us to hear them, read them, mark them, learn them, and inwardly digest them in such a way that, by the patience and comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and ever hold on to the blessed hope of everlasting life that you have given to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I am so glad that I read this one! Don't be intimidated. The one hundred prayers make up a small part of this one. They can be read and reread. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible