Anglican Prayer Beads

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Anglican Prayer Beads"

Lawrence Bishop
5 years ago
Views:

1 Anglican Prayer Beads A Rosary for Episcopalians Anglican Prayer Beads, also known as the Anglican Rosary, is a relatively new prayer form, which is a blending of the Marian or Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. 1

2 Since the earliest of times, people have used pebbles or a string of knots or beads on a cord to keep track of prayers offered to God. Some form of a rosary, or prayer beads, has been found in virtually every major religious tradition in the world. The Anglican form of this rosary style came out of a contemplative prayer group that met in the mid 1980 s and was created by an Episcopal priest. Comprised of 33 beads, the number of years Our Lord walked this earth, it is well grounded in Incarnational theology and the symbolism contained in it points toward the Celtic view of the sanctity of all God s creation. The Structure of Anglican Prayer Beads The four groups of seven beads form the WEEKS [#4 on the diagram] and remind us of Creation, the temporal week; as well as the seasons of the liturgical or Church Year. The number 7 also signifies wholeness or completion. The four CRUCIFORM BEADS [#3 on the diagram] reminds us that the Cross is the central symbol of our Christian Faith, as well as reminds us of the seasons of the temporal year and the four points on the compass, thus bringing us into mindfulness of the created world. 2

3 The INVITATORY BEAD [#2 on the diagram] just above the Cross like the Invitatory of the Prayer Book s Daily Offices begins with an invitation to praise and worship God. The is also the entry point into the circle of prayer, which is the rosary. Using Anglican Prayer Beads The use of Prayer Beads fosters contemplative prayer by bring into use the whole of us body, mind, and spirit. The pressure of the fingers on each successive bead is an aid in keeping the mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads one more readily into stillness. To begin, hold the Cross and say the prayer assigned to it, then move to the. Then enter the circle of the rosary with the first Cruciform Bead, moving through the Weeks and other Cruciform beads, saying the prayers for each bead, and then exiting by way of the and Cross. It is suggested that one prays around the circle of beads three times in an unhurried pace, allowing the repetition to become a sort of lullaby of love and praise that enables the mind to rest and the heart to become quiet and still. Feel free to experiment with various prayers to suit your personal prayer style and temperament. 3

4 A PRAYER for PREPARATION 1 Father, we praise and glorify your holy Name, for you did not speak to Elijah the prophet in the fire, earthquake, or tempest, but rather chose to reveal yourself to him in the intimate silence of a still, small voice. You also chose the silence of the desert and the solitude of the mountain to strengthen and refresh your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. In the silence and solitude of our hearts may the Holy Spirit guide and direct us during this time of prayer. Amen. 1. A Lenten Option 2 Cruciform Beads [last time] [last time] V. May I never boast of anything except the cross of Christ. R. Amen. V. Christ is reigning from the tree: R. Come, let us adore him. You must work out your own salvation in fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed. V. Create in me a clean heart, O God, R. and renew a right spirit within me. The Lord s Prayer: Our Father V. Blessed be the God of our salvation: R. Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins. 1 Excerpted from A Monastic Breviary edited by the Order of the Holy Cross, p Created for the people of St. Philip s, Rochester (MI) in AD

5 2. A Celtic Option Cruciform Beads [one phrase per bead] V. In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. R. Amen V. O God make speed to save me [us]. R. O Lord make haste to help me [us]. V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: R. As it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen. Be the eye of God dwelling with me, the foot of Christ in guidance with me, the shower of the Spirit pouring on me, richly and generously. I bow before the Father who made me, I bow before the Son who saved me, I bow before the Spirit who guides me, In love and adoration. I praise the Name of the one on high. I bow and adore the Sacred Three, The Ever One, the Trinity The Lord s Prayer: Our Father V. Let us bless the Lord [or I bless the Lord] R. Thanks be to God NOTE: Use plural pronouns in a group setting. 5

6 3. Julian of Norwich Option Cruciform Beads V. In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. R. Amen. V. O God make speed to save me [us]. R. O Lord make haste to help me [us]. V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: R. As it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen. God of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough to me. And I can ask for nothing less that is to your glory. And if I ask for anything less, I shall still be in want, for only in you have I all. All shall be well, and all shall be well, all manner of thing shall be well. The Lord s Prayer: Our Father V. Let us bless the Lord [or I bless the Lord] R. Thanks be to God 6

7 4. The Serenity Prayer Option Cruciform Beads [the first three only] Cruciform Bead [last one only] God take and receive my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my will. All that I am and all that I have you have given me. The Lord s Prayer: Our Father God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Let me live one day at a time and enjoy one moment at a time. Let me accept the hardships as the pathway to peace taking this world as it is, not as I would have it. Let me trust that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will. Amen. 5. Christ the Sower Option V. Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; R. and blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. R. As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen. 7

8 Cruciform Beads [Psalm 126] [Hosea 10:12] When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev. Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy shouldering their sheaves. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. R. As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen. V. Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; R. and blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. 8

Anglican Prayer Beads A Form of Contemplative Prayer

Anglican Prayer Beads A Form of Contemplative Prayer Since the earliest of times, people have used pebbles or a string of knots or beads on a cord to keep track of prayers offered to God. Virtually every major religious tradition in the world uses some form