Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Tertullian and the ordering within the Lord's Prayer

The earliest known writing about the Lord’s Prayer is by Tertullian, who lived in North Africa, 160-225.

In addition to exploring the meaning of the phrases within the prayer, Tertullian notes that the order of the prayer is also important. First we pray about heavenly things: the name of God, the will of God, and the kingdom of God. Only then do we pray for our earthly needs: daily bread, forgiveness, and protection.

Tertullian links this order to Jesus words, “Seek first the kingdom, and then these things shall be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33).