You, Lord, through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world.

You, Lord, created

the earth. You are faithful throughout all generations, righteous in your judgments, marvelous in
strength and majesty, wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists, good in all that is
observed and faithful to those who trust in you, merciful and compassionate; forgive us our sins and our
injustices, our transgressions and our shortcomings.

Do not take into account every sin of your servants, but cleanse us with the cleansing of your truth, and
"direct our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart," and "to do what is good and
pleasing in your sight" and in the sight of our rulers. Yes, Lord, "let your face shine upon us" in peace "for
our good," that we may be sheltered "by your mighty hand" and delivered from every sin "by your
uplifted arm"; deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly.

Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth, just as you did to our fathers when
they reverently "called upon you in faith and trust," that we may be saved, while we render obedience
to your almighty and most excellent name, and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on
earth.

(Clement of Rome)

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 is your Child, that we are your people,

the sheep that you pasture.

Amen.

(Clement of Rome)
O Soverign and almighty Lord, bless all thy people, and all thy flock. Give thy peace, thy help, thy love
unto us thy servants, the sheep of thy fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one
body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in thy divine and boundless love.

(Liturgy of St Mark, 2nd century

O Educator, be gracious to thy children, O Educator, Father, Guide of Israel, Son and Father, both one,
Lord. Give to us, who follow thy command, to fulfill the likeness of thy image, and to see, according to
our strength, the God who is both a good God and a Judge who is not harsh. Do thou thyself bestow all
things on us who dwell in thy peace, who have been placed in thy city, who sail the sea of sin unruffled,
that we may be made tranquil and supported by the Holy Spirit, the unutterable Wisdom, by night and
day, unto the perfect day, to sing eternal thanksgiving to the one only Father and Son, Son and Father,
Educator and Teacher with the Holy Spirit.

(Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215)

A prayer of Basil of Caesarea

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour, where I can be safe from the storms of sin
and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can
always see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose
the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring
hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.

(Basil of Caesarea, 329-379; found here.)

Prayer for Peace — St Cyprian of Carthage (210–258 AD)

We beg and beseech the God whom the enemies of the Church are forever provoking and irritating that
he would tame their wild hearts. May their rage subside and calm return to their hearts; may their
minds, clouded by the darkness their sins produce, repent and see the light; may they seek the bishop’s
prayers and not his blood.

St Cyprian of Carthage, 210–258 AD