Source edition
Cyprian. Saint. S. Thasci Caecili Cypriani Opera omnia, Pars I (Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Volume 3.1). Hartel, Wilhelm von, editor. Vienna: Gerold, 1868.
Source data
Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a spiritual and theological treatise that explains the profound significance of the Lord's Prayer, as taught by Christ Himself, and guides believers on the proper attitude for prayer. The author begins by emphasizing that prayer should be a communal act offered for the unity and peace of the entire Church, requiring a quiet and humble disposition. He then systematically interprets each petition of the prayer—from addressing God as "Father" to requesting daily bread and forgiveness—highlighting themes such as daily sanctification, the harmony of spirit and body, detachment from worldly wealth, and the necessity of forgiving others to receive divine mercy. Toward the end, the text exhorts believers to eliminate worldly distractions by following Christ's example. It concludes by recommending that prayer be accompanied by good deeds, such as fasting and almsgiving, and practiced diligently throughout the day and night as a constant devotion to God.