The Language of Intercession

Joint Liturgical Studies 94

The terminology of prayer which has become quasi-technical has its roots in more mundane usage. Therefore, exploration of the use of some of these terms, particularly in secular contexts, may throw light on their meaning in theological contexts. The present work, which has long been in gestation, is offered as a preliminary examination of the language used both of the concept of intercession itself and also of actual liturgical forms employed in the practice of intercession.

Anthony Gelston is an Emeritus Reader in Theology at the University of Durham. He was President of the Society for Old Testament Study in 1991. A large proportion of his published work is concerned with biblical or liturgical texts. He edited the Twelve Minor Prophets for both Vetus Testamentum Syriace and Biblia Hebraica Quinta Editione, He also published the Syriac text of The Eucharistic Prayer of Addai and Mari with a commentary (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1992). He contributed an earlier volume to this series: JLS 66, The Psalms in Christian Worship: Patristic Precedent and Anglican Practice.