The Prayer Of Thanksgiving (he Blessed)

The blessing, which is also known as the eucharistic prayer or prayer of thanksgiving, originated from the Jewish Brakah (blessing). It passed through various stages of development, reaching a fixed content in the fourth and fifth century. In the medieval era it became excessively elaborate. The Reformers simplified the prayer, and today the forms of the ancient church are being restored to common use in the church. Some scholars believe the prayer of thanksgiving is a modification of the Jewish Brakah (blessing). The Brakah said on both private and public occasions reflects the prayer most likely said at the Last Supper. It contains three parts: 1. Praise 2. Commemoration 3. Petition During the early centuries of Christianity, the prayers of thanksgiving may have been an adaptation of this form. By the end of the fourth century the development of this prayer was complete, resulting in the prayer known as the eucharistic prayer in the West (anaphora in the East). The prayer appea…