Faith Filled Friday: St. Polycarp’s Final Prayer

St.Polycarp is one of the earliest of the church fathers (69-155) and was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist.  He was born just after the martyrdom of saints Peter and Paul and he lived well into the second century.  He was martyred by being burned at the stake but his last words of prayer were recorded.  This is his prayer and makes a fitting read during Lent.

O Lord, Almighty God,

Father of your beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ,

Through whom we have received the perfect knowledge of you,

God of angels and hosts and of all creation

And of the whole race of saints

Who live under your eyes!

I bless you

Because you have seen fit to bestow on me

This day and hour,

That I may share, among the number of the martyrs,

The cup of your Anointed

And rise to eternal life

Both in soul and body,

In virtue of the immortality of the Holy Spirit.

May I be accepted among them in your sight today

As a rich and pleasing sacrifice,

Such as you, the true God that cannot utter a falsehood

Have prearranged, revealed in advance, and consummated.

And therefore I praise you for everything;

I bless you,

I glorify you

Through the eternal and heavenly High Priest

Jesus Christ,

Your beloved Son,

Through whom be glory to you

Together with Him and the Holy Spirit,

Both now and for the ages to come,

Amen.