Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 59

If some people disobey what he said through us, they need to realize that they will bind themselves to a serious sin and danger. We, however, will be innocent of this sin, and we will offer earnest prayer and petition so that the Creator of all things may keep the complete number of his elect throughout the world unbroken through his beloved child, Jesus Christ. Through Christ he called us out of darkness into light and out of ignorance into the knowledge of the glory of his name. We put our hope in the name of the Originator of all creation, since you have opened the eyes of our hearts to know you, the only Most High in the highest heavens, holy among the holy, the one who rests in holiness. You humble the pride of the arrogant, dissolve the schemes of nations, lift up the lowly and bring down the lofty, make rich and make poor, kill and make alive. You alone are the discerner of spirits and the God of all flesh. You look into the abysses, oversee human deeds, help those in danger, save the desperate, and are the creator and overseer of every spirit. You multiply nations on the earth and choose from all peoples those who love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom you taught us, sanctified us, and honored us. Therefore we ask you, Master, to become our helper and supporter. Save those of us in distress, have mercy on the lowly, raise up the fallen, reveal yourself to those in need, heal the weak, and bring back the wandering among your people. Feed the hungry, ransom our captives, strengthen the feeble, encourage the fainthearted, and let all nations know you. For you alone are God, Jesus Christ is your child, and we are your people, the sheep of your pasture.