This collection investigates the devotional life of the early Christian community by curating primary source prayers from the first several centuries of the faith. F. Forester Church and Terrence J. Mulry, both scholars of religious history, compile these texts to demonstrate the breadth of early Christian thought. By including diverse voices from Church fathers to Gnostic archives, the authors argue that early prayer was a multifaceted practice that reflected both orthodox and heterodox theological concerns.

Scholars and readers frequently note the accessibility of this collection for those interested in the historical roots of Christian liturgy. Experts highlight this as a useful resource for comparing mainstream patristic writings with marginalized or Gnostic perspectives.