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Was it more than that? Absolutely. I think it was the collection, the reading, the sharing, the collective memory of God's people, of the prayers they had received from the apostles and the prophets. In other words, they were sharing scriptural prayers with each other.

Wes, your post reminded me of a little prayer book that came to me when my Grandfather died. He and my Grandmother read it each morning before breakfast. It is a compilation of 365 prayers and was first published in 1916.

Here is today's entry--January 21:

Lord God, Heavenly Father, we Thy children come before Thee to thank Thee and to praise Thee. We thank Thee for the gift of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and that Thou hast kindled faith and love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We thank Thee for peace of soul through the forgiveness of sin and for the blessed hope of eternal life. We thank Thee also for the opportunity to labor in our earthly calling and thereby to render service to Thee, to our dear ones, and to our fellowmen in general.

Bless us, Heavenly Father, as individuals, that we may have the strength always to do our duty as it is made clear to us. Bless us as a nation, a Christian people, that the high hopes placed in us by the peoples in distress may not be shattered. Bless Thy church that it may have the power always to witness to the truth and to spread the light of Thy Gospel everywhere. Strengthen and succor us, O God, in our trial and temptations, that we be not overcome. Give us willingness to witness for Christ wherever we go, and help us gladly to share our temporal blessings with those who are in physical want. Lead us through the hours of the day, and watch over us through the night. And when Thou art done with us here on earth, take use to Thyself in glory. We ask it in the name of Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer. Amen.

Carl J. Bengston, D.D.
Rock Island, IL

Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine
Hiraeth