Aramaic · mah-RAH-nah-THAH
Maranatha
מרנא תא
Our Lord, come! — the church's oldest prayer and greeting
Symbol: The eastern sky lighting before dawn — the Day that is coming
“If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!”
1 Corinthians 16:22
The earliest recorded Christian prayer in Aramaic — one word the early church used as greeting, hope and battle cry.
What the name means
Maranatha holds both a plea and a promise: our Lord has come, and our Lord will come.
It was the prayer of a persecuted people — hope too urgent for a long sentence.
Praying it keeps your heart facing east: every altar moment here is rehearsal for His appearing.
How to pray this name
- Close prayer with it: 'Maranatha — even so, come, Lord Jesus.'
- Pray it over the suffering church worldwide — hope kept alive, word by word.
Maranatha — come quickly, Lord Jesus. Set my hope on Your appearing and my feet on Your mission. In the Mighty Name of Jesus! Amen.
Declaration
Our Lord is coming — I live ready, watching and longing for His appearing.
Study further
Revelation 22:20 · Philippians 3:20 · Titus 2:13 · 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17