WHAT 1^ST & 2^ND CENTURY CHURCH FATHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT

PRAYER

Justin Martyr, about 150 AD, said in Apology I, 67: "The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president in a discourse admonished and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers." 

Tertullian, about 170 AD, said in Apology xxxix:1-5): "We are a body with a common feeling of religion, a unity of discipline, and a covenant of hope. We meet together in an assembly and congregation so that praying to God we may win him over by the strength of our prayers. This kind of force is pleasing to God. We pray also for emperors, for their servants and those in authority, for the order of the world, for peaceful circumstances, for the delay of the end."

Clement of Alexandria, about 190 AD, said in Miscellanies VI.xiv.113.3: "Always giving thanks in all things to God through righteous hearing and divine reading, true inquiry, holy oblation, blessed prayer, praising, hymning, blessing, singing, such a soul is never separated from God at any time."