Many people think of praying the rosary as a particularly Catholic exercise; but, some years back, I was pleased to discover a tradition of praying with Anglican prayer beads. Although the beads themselves are somewhat different, the practice itself is much the same—a way to foster a contemplative frame of mind. It encourages us to become present with the God in body, mind and spirit. Counting the beads with our hands—body—focuses our attention—mind—toward stillness—spirit.
The practice is relatively simple and meant to be almost memorized as you progress through the beads. One begins with the cross and moves through the Invitatory, which is an opening prayer, and on to the Cruciform, where an intention might be set for the following prayers, the seven (7) beads which make up a completed prayer or
week
. On each of the beads of the
week
, the same prayer is repeated. Each week ends with the Gloria spoken on the chain before the next Cruciform. It is such a simple practice, and yet, I have found it to be exactly what I need in this time of isolation.
Every morning, I sit with my beads in a quiet place and prepare to pray. Since there is so much and so many to pray for and about, I have added a small notebook to my practice. After a few deep breaths, letting my mind wander around all the things that are happening in the world today, I take a few minutes to write down four things I want to pray specifically about. Then, as I begin each
week
, I set the intention for that set of prayers from my list. I have prayed, am praying, for my family, St. Paul’s clergy, staff and congregation, those fighting the virus and those caring for them, our leaders, those in mourning, and for specific people who are having birthdays or anniversaries. My niece is an ICU nurse; she is often the subject of my prayers.
Should you like to try praying with beads, here is a set of prayers to greet the morning:
Cross:
In the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitatory:
Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen.
1
st
Cruciform:
Open my lips, O God, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Week Beads:
To you I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you.
(ending the week)
Glory to the Father, etc.
2
nd
Cruciform:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
3
rd
Cruciform:
Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
4
th
Cruciform:
Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
After the last week
On the 1
st
Cruciform:
The Lord’s Prayer
Invitatory:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by diversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cross:
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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I purchased my beads at Grace Cathedral, but other beads can be used for this practice. For instance, grab your Mardi Gras beads, count off the appropriate numbers for the prayers, put a piece of tape to mark which will be your cruciform beads, and begin to pray.
It is the feeling of the beads slipping between your fingers as your prayers slip from your lips to God that is the most important, not whether they were designed for this specific use
.
