Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/prayer.asp?pg=11

ELPENOR - Home of the Greek Word

Three Millennia of Greek Literature
ORIGEN HOME PAGE  

Origen, ON PRAYER Complete

Translated by W. Curtis.

Origen Resources OnLine & in Print

ELPENOR EDITIONS IN PRINT

The Original Greek New Testament

104 Pages


Page 11

CHAPTER III

OBJECTIONS TO PRAYER

If then I must next, as you have urged, set forth in the first place the arguments of those who told that nothing is accomplished as a result of prayers and therefore allege that prayer is superfluous, I shall not hesitate to do that also according to my ability--the term prayer being now used in its more common and general sense. In such disrepute indeed is the view and to such a degree has it failed to obtain champions of distinction that, among those who admit a Providence and set a God over the universe, not a soul can be found who does not believe in prayer.

The opinion (sentiment) belongs either to utter atheists who deny the existence of God, or assume a God, as far as the name goes, but deprive Him of providence. Already, it must be said, the adverse inworking, with intent to wrap the most impious of opinions around the name of Christ and around the teaching of the Son of God, has made some converts on the needlessness of prayer--a sentiment which find champions in those who by every means do away with outward forms, eschewing baptism and eucharist alike, misrepresenting the Scriptures as not actually meaning this that we call prayer but as teaching something quite different from it.

Those who reject prayers, while, that is to say, setting a God over the universe and affirming Providence--for it is not my present task to consider the statements of those who by every means do away with a God or Providence--might reason as follows: God knows all things before they come to be. There is nothing that upon its entrance into existence is then first known by Him as previously unknown. What need to send up prayer to One who, even before we pray, knows what things we have need of? For the heavenly Father knows what things we have need of before we ask Him.

Previous Page / First / Next Page of Origen - ON PRAYER
Origen Home Page ||| More Church Fathers

Elpenor's Free Greek Lessons
Three Millennia of Greek Literature

 

Greek Literature - Ancient, Medieval, Modern

Origen Home Page   Origen in Print

Elpenor's Greek Forum : Post a question / Start a discussion

Learned Freeware

Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/prayer.asp?pg=11