The Prayer of Manasseh: A Powerful Lesson in Repentance and Forgiveness.

Discover the Prayer of Manasseh and its lessons for Christians today. Learn about repentance, humility, and the power of grace in this ancient prayer.

The Prayer of Manasseh: What it is and What it Teaches Us

If you're a Christian who loves to study the Bible, chances are you've come across some books that are not included in the traditional canon. One such book is the Prayer of Manasseh, which is found in some versions of the Bible, but not in others. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this prayer, what it is, where it comes from, and what it can teach us about God and ourselves.

What is the Prayer of Manasseh?

The Prayer of Manasseh is a short prayer that is attributed to King Manasseh, who ruled over the kingdom of Judah from approximately 698-642 BC. The prayer is not found in the Hebrew Bible, which is the traditional Jewish canon, nor is it found in the Protestant Bible. However, it is included in some versions of the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, as well as in some ancient manuscripts.

The prayer itself is a confession of sin and a plea for forgiveness, in which Manasseh acknowledges his own wickedness and the righteousness of God. Here is the full text of the prayer:

"O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornament thereof; who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious name; whom all men fear, and tremble before thy power; for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable: but thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for thou art the most high Lord, of great compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot lift up mine head, neither have any release: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities: wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquities. Be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Where does the Prayer of Manasseh come from?

The Prayer of Manasseh is not mentioned in the Bible itself, but it is believed to have been written sometime between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD. It is not known for certain who wrote the prayer, but it is generally attributed to a Jewish scribe or group of scribes. Some scholars believe that the prayer was originally written in Greek, while others believe it was written in Hebrew or Aramaic and later translated into Greek.

The prayer is named after King Manasseh, who is mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the most wicked kings in Judah's history. According to 2 Chronicles 33, Manasseh "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" and led the people of Judah into idolatry and other sins. However, the chapter also records that Manasseh repented of his sins and turned back to the Lord, and that God heard his prayer and restored him to his kingdom.

What can we learn from the Prayer of Manasseh?

Despite its relatively brief length, the Prayer of Manasseh contains several important lessons for Christians today. Here are just a few:

1. The importance of repentance

At its core, the Prayer of Manasseh is a prayer of repentance. Manasseh acknowledges his own sinfulness and pleads with God for forgiveness. As Christians, we are all called to repent of our sins and turn back to God. In fact, Jesus himself said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). The Prayer of Manasseh serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of repentance and the mercy of God toward those who turn to him in humility and contrition.

2. The greatness of God

Throughout the prayer, Manasseh extols the greatness of God and his power over all creation. He acknowledges that God is the Almighty God of his fathers, who made heaven and earth and has bound the sea by his commandment. He also recognizes the terrible and glorious name of God, before whom all men tremble. As Christians, it is important to remember that God is not just a powerful force, but a personal God who cares for us and desires our salvation.

3. The need for humility

One of the most striking things about the Prayer of Manasseh is the humility with which it is offered. Manasseh does not try to justify or excuse his sins, but acknowledges them openly and asks for forgiveness. He recognizes that he is not worthy to behold the height of heaven for the multitude of his iniquities. As Christians, we are called to cultivate a spirit of humility and to recognize our own shortcomings before God.

4. The power of grace

Finally, the Prayer of Manasseh reminds us of the power of God's grace to forgive and restore even the most wicked of sinners. Despite Manasseh's many transgressions, he is confident that God will save him according to his great mercy. This is a powerful testimony to the power of grace to transform lives and bring about true repentance and forgiveness.

Conclusion

The Prayer of Manasseh may not be as well-known as some of the other books of the Bible, but it still has much to teach us about God and ourselves. It reminds us of the importance of repentance, the greatness of God, the need for humility, and the power of grace. As we read and meditate on this ancient prayer, may we be inspired to turn to God in repentance and faith, knowing that he is always ready to forgive and restore us to himself.

FAQs:

1. Is the Prayer of Manasseh considered part of the Bible?
The Prayer of Manasseh is not considered part of the traditional Jewish or Protestant canon, but it is included in some versions of the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles.

2. Who wrote the Prayer of Manasseh?
The authorship of the Prayer of Manasseh is not known for certain, but it is generally attributed to a Jewish scribe or group of scribes.

3. What is the theme of the Prayer of Manasseh?
The theme of the Prayer of Manasseh is repentance and forgiveness, as King Manasseh confesses his sins and pleads with God for mercy.

4. What can Christians learn from the Prayer of Manasseh?
Christians can learn several important lessons from the Prayer of Manasseh, including the importance of repentance, the greatness of God, the need for humility, and the power of grace.

5. Where can I find the Prayer of Manasseh in the Bible?
The Prayer of Manasseh is not found in all versions of the Bible, but it may be included as an apocryphal or deuterocanonical book in some Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, or as an appendix to the book of 2 Chronicles in some Protestant Bibles.