I had a flashback as I researched today’s prayer. I was enamored with Superman as a boy, this “Man of Steel” who was “more powerful than a locomotive and able to bend steel in his bare hands.” Today’s prayer was offered by the original “Man of Steel.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254) was given the nickname Adamantius (Latin for “Man of Steel”) for his courage under fire. According to the church historian, Eusebius, Origen “was not yet seventeen” when his father was arrested and later executed for being a Christian. Origen wanted to join his father in prison, but his mother hid all his clothes to foil his plan. At the end of his life, after a faithful teaching and writing ministry, Origen proved his mettle when he was imprisoned and tortured for two years for refusing to recant his faith. Origen’s writing, On First Principles, was the first attempt to put into print the essential foundations of Christian theology. Before Origen, Christianity was commonly regarded as a folk religion for the illiterate, but he gave it intellectual credibility. His sermons delivered to the church in Caesarea survive. I note how often he paused in his sermons to invite his congregation to join him in praying for the Holy Spirit’s direction. He also wrote a major treatise On Prayer. Two things stand out in his comments on prayer. First, he urged his readers not to seek advantages from God in prayer, but to enjoy God’s presence and share in God’s life. Second, he gave practical suggestions about prayer, such as the best posture for prayer. He recommended standing with hands extended and eyes elevated, but then added it was far more important to extend the soul to God. He also advised designating a corner of one’s house as a sanctuary for prayer. In his commentary on John’s gospel (32 volumes!) regarding Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples, he closed with the prayer:
Origen of Alexandria
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 I do not wash your feet, I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then because I long for your companionship.
Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts
Coptic.net, On Prayer.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.