The sources of De Oratione

1. Book of Daniel unknown (traditionally Daniel) 1 authority 1 citation · 2 passages

   de oratione 2 passages anchored here

   Episodes narrated in the Book of Daniel (the fiery furnace, thrice-daily prayer) are directly invoked as scriptural precedent.

   Even though these things stand simply, without any precept of observance, yet it would be good to establish some presumption, which may both bind us to the admonition of prayer, and, as it were by a law, wrest us from our business at times to such a duty — so that, as we read was observed by Daniel too, surely out of the discipline of Israel, we may pray not less than three times at least in the d …

2. Book of Genesis Moses (traditional author) 1 authority 1 citation · 2 passages

   de oratione 2 passages anchored here

   Genesis narratives (Cain and Lamech, the naming of Eve, the sons of God and daughters of men) are directly invoked as authoritative scripture.

   And when Peter had asked whether he must forgive his brother seven times, Nay, he said, seventy times seven — that he might reform the law for the better, since in Genesis vengeance was reckoned for Cain sevenfold, but for Lamech seventy times seven.

3. Book of Isaiah Isaiah 1 neutral 1 citation · 2 passages

   de oratione 2 passages anchored here

   Isaiah is named directly and his prophetic rejection of empty sacrifice is quoted in substance to support the theme of spiritual sacrifice.

   I am full of the whole burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and of goats I do not wish.

4. Book of Jonah unknown (traditionally Jonah) 1 authority 1 citation

   de oratione

   The narrative of Jonah's prayer from the fish is directly invoked as scriptural precedent for the theme of God hearing the heart.

   How then could the prayer of Jonah, from the depths of the whale's belly, through the bowels of so great a beast, from the very abysses, through so great a mass of sea, make its way out to heaven?

5. Book of Revelation John (traditionally attributed) 1 authority 1 citation

   de oratione

   The vision of the martyrs' souls under the altar crying for vengeance directly echoes Revelation and is invoked as authoritative scripture.

   And so, if the representation of the Lord's kingdom has reference to the will of God and to our own expectancy, how is it that some demand a certain prolonging of things in the world, when the kingdom of God, for whose coming we pray, tends toward the consummation of the world?

6. First Epistle of Peter Peter the Apostle 1 authority 1 citation

   de oratione

   Peter's teaching is explicitly invoked as concordant authority alongside Paul's on modesty of dress.

   Concerning the modesty of dress and adornment there is an open prescription even of Peter, restraining with the same mouth — because with the same Spirit as Paul — both the gloriousness of garments, and the pride of gold, and the meretricious elaboration of the hair.

7. Gospel of John John the Evangelist 1 authority 1 citation · 4 passages

   de oratione 4 passages anchored here

   Multiple direct scriptural allusions and near-quotations characteristic of John's Gospel are invoked as authoritative sayings of Christ.

   He who is of the earth, he says, speaks earthly things, and he who comes from heaven speaks the things which he has seen.

8. The Shepherd of Hermas Hermas 1 refuted 1 citation

   de oratione

   The work is named directly and its narrative detail is explicitly rejected as a basis for liturgical practice.

   For what if that Hermas, whose writing is generally entitled the Shepherd, when his prayer was finished, had not sat down upon the bed, but had done something else — should we vindicate that too for observance?

Each stands at a single passage. The chapter carries the anchors.

de oratione 3 sources

Acts of the Apostles · Letters of Paul (Pauline epistles) · Sayings/Precepts of Jesus (Gospel tradition, e.g. Matthew)