May Christ Build You Up

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and Jesus Christ himself, who is the Son of God,
and our everlasting High Priest,
build you up in faith and truth,
and in all meekness, gentleness, patience,
long-suffering, forbearance, and purity;
and may he bestow on you a place and portion among his saints,
and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven,
who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ,
and in his Father, who raised him from the dead.

Pray for all the saints.
Pray also for kings, and authorities, and princes,
and for those that persecute and hate you,
and for the enemies of the cross,
that your fruit may be evident to all,
and that you may be perfect in him.

Source: Polycarp

Source of this version: Freely adapted from http://www.catholicfaithandreason.org/st-polycarp-of-smyrna-69-155-ad.html

Also found here: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/polycarp-lightfoot.html

“Meekness, gentleness, patience” is a reference to Galatians 5:22-23

“Father, who raised him” is a reference to Galatians 1:1

“Pray for kings…” is a reference to 1 Timothy 2:1-4

This prayer has some overlap with “May Your Grace Move Our Love”