This One-Word Ancient Prayer Was Spoken in Jesus’ Language

“Christian prayer is characterized by the title “Lord”, whether in the invitation to prayer (“The Lord be with you”), its conclusion (“through Christ our Lord”) or the exclamation full of trust and hope: Maran atha (“Our Lord, come!”) or Marana tha (“Come, Lord!”) – “Amen Come Lord Jesus!” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 451

Maranatha. It’s an ancient phrase, a Christian prayer spoken in the language of Jesus, Aramaic.

Appearing in the Bible just one time (with a similar expression in the Book of Revelation), it is a prayer for the return of Christ meaning “Our Lord, come!” or “Come, Lord!”

“If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Marana tha.” – 1 Corinthians 16:22

“The one who gives this testimony says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” – Revelation 22:20

It also appears in the Didache, just one time as well.

“If any man is holy, let him come; if any man is not, let him repent. Maran Atha. Amen.” – Didache 10:13-14

Recitation of Maranatha was called the “ideal Christian mantra” for contemplative prayer by Saint John Cassian, repeated silently interiorly as four equally stressed syllables Ma-ra-na-tha.

Benedictine monk John Main said of the Maranatha prayer:

“Not only is this one of the most ancient Christian prayers, in the language Jesus spoke, but it also has a harmonic quality that helps to bring the mind to silence. Other words or short phrases could be used but he [St. John Cassian] saw it as important that during the meditation one doesn’t think about the meaning or use the imagination.”

Our Lord, come!