Prayers across the centuries

Over the next two weeks we will explore prayers of the church across the ages. We start with Origen of Alexandria[ (185 - 253) an early Christian scholar, ascetic, and theologian. He was a prolific writer who wrote roughly 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology. He was one of the most influential and controversial figures in early Christian theology, and described as "the greatest genius the early church ever produced".

His deep spirituality is seen this prayer for cleansing much like Paul advocated in his letter to the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 7:1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

O Jesus my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me,_ pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, ‘If do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.’ Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship. And yet, what am I asking? It was well for Peter to ask you to wash his feet, for him that was all that was needed for him to be clean in every part. With me it is different, though you wash me now I shall still stand in need of that other washing, the cleansing you promised when you said, ‘there is a baptism I must needs be baptised with’.

A favourite hymn writer, Albert Orsborn speaks of this yearning in these terms.

1 When shall I come unto the healing waters?

Lifting my heart, I cry to thee my prayer.

Spirit of peace, my Comforter and healer,

In whom my springs are found, let my soul meet thee there.

Refrain:

From a hill I know,

Healing waters flow;

O rise, Immanuel’s tide,

And my soul overflow!

2 Wash from my hands the dust of earthly striving;

Take from my mind the stress of secret fear;

Cleanse thou the wounds from all but thee far hidden,

And when the waters flow let my healing appear.

3 Light, life and love are in that healing fountain,

All I require to cleanse me and restore;

Flow through my soul, redeem its desert places,

And make a garden there for the Lord I adore.

Amen