TIme for a change...

[Celticflower]

Recently my life has taken a turn to the stressed side for a variety of reasons. And, of course, it invades all parts of my life, including my prayer life. I feel the need to recharge and refocus this area and hope it will leak into other areas.

I saw an ad for a book called "Another Bead, Another Prayer" - a devotional to be used with an Anglican Rosary. I have used one in the past but have fallen out of the practice. I ordered the book and am thinking of putting a new set of beads together. When I was using the Rosary I found it easier to stay centered while praying/meditating and not be distracted.

I told a dear friend about all this and found that she is in a similar place in life. She has been looking for a prayer partner she can trust, and since our trust in each other goes deep, we are going to partner up. We are going to meet on Facebook once a week for a time of prayer and reflection together. (we can't get together in person as we live too far apart - she in NY, me in TN). I'm hoping this will be good for both of us.

 

[circuitrider]

Another good resource for Anglican Prayer Beads is "Praying with Beads" by Nan Lewis Doerr.

 

[Celticflower]

Thanks!

 

[Dave-W]

Me and my Nazarene past are not familiar with Anglican prayer beads. Is it similar to a rosary? (good friend in highschool was catholic)

 

[Celticflower]

Me and my Nazarene past are not familiar with Anglican prayer beads. Is it similar to a rosary? (good friend in highschool was catholic)

This is a quick over view of it. >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_prayer_beads
There are also a couple of sites with diagrams to make your own.

 

[circuitrider]

Here is also a good link explaining their use.

http://kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm

 

[Dave-W]

Thanks! Very informative.

Multiple sets of prayer. That is interesting.

I do remember either in the late 1960s or early 70s reading about someone at Notre Dame U who was talking about a possible replacement for the standard Catholic rosary called "Jesus Beads." The set consists of a Jerusalem cross and a 100 bead chain in the familiar loop. On each bead one prays "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Apparently this type of prayer is more wide spread than I understood.

 

[circuitrider]

I think the current set of prayer beads arise out of the Anglican tradition and are often called "Anglican prayer beads."

I find that prayer beads can help you concentrate in prayer and maintain focus because focusing on the physicality of using the beads helps push out other interruptions.

I have used them frequently at times and less frequently lately. But I think they are useful.

 

[JCFantasy23]

That sounds so nice you have a friend like that, Celticflower. It's a good support system and nice to focus on your faith that way.

I have a rosary but have never used it in any typical or intended way with prayers. I've held it sometimes while praying and touch it for peace but not much with it. I don't have prayer beads. I do have a small prayer crocheted piece, but that's about it.

 

[Dave-W]

Its interesting how physical objects can become an important part of our devotion to the Lord.

After being in the messianic community for almost 2 decades, I find prayer time at church sometimes something inside me is SCREAMING to be wearing a Tallit, prayer shawl. Just as many of you have found that the beads help you focus; so does being wrapped up in the shawl.

 

[circuitrider]

Its interesting how physical objects can become an important part of our devotion to the Lord.

After being in the messianic community for almost 2 decades, I find prayer time at church sometimes something inside me is SCREAMING to be wearing a Tallit, prayer shawl. Just as many of you have found that the beads help you focus; so does being wrapped up in the shawl.

That makes sense to me. I believe that is why Jesus created sacraments that use physical elements like wine, bread, and water. The physical can focus our senses on the spiritual.

Protestants forgot that for a while when, in reaction to Rome, we created sanctuaries void of symbolism that were bare in their austerity. Thankfully Christian symbols are again in use in the Church. Otherwise you get a dry cerebral faith.

 

[Dave-W]

Protestants forgot that for a while when, in reaction to Rome, we created sanctuaries void of symbolism that were bare in their austerity. Thankfully Christian symbols are again in use in the Church. Otherwise you get a dry cerebral faith.

IMO it is deeper than that. At least some of the sacraments and symbols have a spiritual transaction that goes beyond our ability to comprehend.

 

[alexier]

I love the Anglican Rosary...in fact I used to get really annoyed when I was driving and some where...well shouldn't have been on the road. I got a set of them and prayed with them on my way to work in the morning and they really calmed me down. They are hung around my rear view mirror and I pray and go. They are excellent.

 

[circuitrider]

IMO it is deeper than that. At least some of the sacraments and symbols have a spiritual transaction that goes beyond our ability to comprehend.

I'd agree with that Dave. That is why the UMC calls communion "a holy mystery."

 

[RomansFiveEight]

We humans aren't good at "via media", we like extremes. What was rightfully seen as runaway idolatry and tremendous amounts of wealth spend on golden calfs in the church was dismissed not with "toning it down a bit" but with austere funeral parlor sanctuaries. Symbolism can be beautiful.

I have one challenge or "issue" with canned prayers / prayer beads / etc., and that's something I've experienced. Both in the UMC and elsewhere. Everyone knows the bored, half-asleep drone of the Lords Prayer in church. I have an in-law, a devout Catholic, who he and his kids have to say their prayers before each meal. Which is, of course, a great discipline which centers us and reminds us of the need to pray. However, they use some scripted prayer and mumble through it so quickly I don't actually know what they are saying. A few mumbled words, the sign of the cross, and they begin eating. I'm not sure that's praying, so much as it is just jumping through a hoop.

Anyway; point being, like anything, a via media is necessary. I love the idea of Anglican prayer beads and have been getting myself more into prayer disciplines like that. For example, using Daily Office liturgies in old BCP's in the morning before I begin my day. And of course, that's every bit as scripted as my in-laws prayers. I suppose the difference is the intention. I'm choosing a prayer to begin my day; whereas others are fulfilling a dogmatic responsibility. I wonder, then, how to encourage people to engage in practices like prayer beads, et al., without them becoming dogmatic and complacent?

Just food for thought. ALL prayer has the potential to become complacent hoop-jumping if our heart isn't in it. I'm not sure why, but I've always been so very bothered by muttered, rushed-through prayer. Not because God cares about the "delivery", but because it just misses the point.

 

[circuitrider]

RFive8, I'd say that there is less danger of complacent hoop jumping when the prayer discipline you are using is not something that is required or expected but an option.

Since prayer beads are used by so few Protestants I don't see much danger in it become something you do because you have to, because you don't.

My pattern has been that I use the beads at times and other times feel no need to use them. Sometimes I use them for several months and then not at all. It is an option for spiritual discipline and not something with any outside requirement.

That being said, repetition is one of the ways people learn. We may memorize scripture, the Lord's Prayer the Apostles' Creed etc. and knowing that information by rote can help us internalize what is being taught.

Honestly I find saying the Lord's Prayer in worship to be a unifying experience. I enjoy hearing the voices of the congregation as one as we share in that prayer together. I also enjoy responsive liturgy and find that well written liturgies help remind us of our faith.

 

[RomansFiveEight]

For sure, CW! And I think the optional-ness is important.

I definitely appreciate reciting the Lord's prayer, creeds, and liturgies together. Like you said, it's unifying. I just wish I knew the secret to getting the whole congregation to really take seriously what they are saying; as many just go through the motions. But; faith is a journey.

 

[Celticflower]

When I was using prayer beads quite regularly in the past I found that it was easier to slip into that quiet state of listening for God. And I would use different prayers at different times, depending on what I was dealing with at the moment - so it didn't feel quite so "canned".
I can see a problem if the only time you pray is when you have the beads in your hands and you only use certain prayers over and over - but that is the same problem that can arise with anything. It becomes an empty habit.
As for me - I'm hoping the beads will help me to be a bit more focused, but I will still pray as my daughter heads off to work or when she ends her shift (long drive both ways), before I go to sleep, as I'm stitching a baby blanket for an unknown child or a prayer shawl for a friend, or any of the other countless times a day when I feel the need or desire to.

 

[Albion]

Thanks! Very informative.

Multiple sets of prayer. That is interesting.

I do remember either in the late 1960s or early 70s reading about someone at Notre Dame U who was talking about a possible replacement for the standard Catholic rosary called "Jesus Beads." The set consists of a Jerusalem cross and a 100 bead chain in the familiar loop. On each bead one prays "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Apparently this type of prayer is more wide spread than I understood.

That ^ describes the Eastern Orthodox "rosary." But if the Anglican Prayer Beads (also called Christian Prayer Beads) are of interest, the most-used prayer on them is the same Jesus Prayer.

The most important thing about Anglican/Christian Prayer Beads may be that there are actually no appointed prayers. While certain websites like the King of Peace people want to promote a certain format, the user is completely free to use whatever prayers he or she chooses and to change them at will. Many people simply carry them as a reminder to pray, whether using the bead set for that or in some other way. This goes along, I think, with what you were saying above, Celticflower.

 

[Soma Seer]

The most important thing about Anglican/Christian Prayer Beads may be that there are actually no appointed prayers. While certain websites like the King of Peace people want to promote a certain format, the user is completely free to use whatever prayers he or she chooses and to change them at will.

Some people might consider me a heretic for saying this, but I've no problem with even Catholic rosary beads being used to recite whatever personal prayer(s) come to mind. It's the sincerity of the prayers--whether said while using Catholic, Anglican or even Hindu prayer beads--that matters, IMO.

Many people simply carry them as a reminder to pray....

I very much like this idea and can understand how/why the length of the Anglican rosary would be well-suited for this purpose. Although not a practicing Anglican, I have 7-8 sets of beautiful Anglican rosaries; I think I will begin using them for this very reason.