I recently acquired, Christian Prayer, a book which is a one volume version of the Liturgy of the Hours. Here’s why I think it’s a valuable edition to any Catholic’s bookshelf – not that it should have a chance to rest on a shelf for long!
Overview
Christian Prayer is basically a one-volume, condensed version of the Liturgy of the Hours. What is the Liturgy of the Hours, you ask? (or maybe not, since you could already know what it is and can skip this part)
The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Breviary, is a structured form of prayer observed in the Catholic Church and some other Christian denominations. It is a daily prayer practice that consists of psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and various prayers.
The Liturgy of the Hours is divided into different “hours” or parts of the day, and it serves as a way for Christians to sanctify the entire day through prayer. The hours include morning prayer (Lauds), mid-morning prayer (Terce), midday prayer (Sext), mid-afternoon prayer (None), evening prayer (Vespers), and night prayer (Compline). Each of these hours has a specific structure and content.
The prayers and readings of the Liturgy of the Hours are typically recited or chanted by priests, religious communities, and laypeople who wish to participate. The purpose of this prayer practice is to offer praise and worship to God, seek spiritual nourishment, and unite with the universal Church in prayer throughout the day.
The Liturgy of the Hours is often found in a prayer book called the breviary or the Liturgy of the Hours book. It provides the texts and instructions for each hour, allowing individuals or communities to engage in this prayerful practice. It is considered a rich spiritual resource that helps Christians deepen their relationship with God and cultivate a rhythm of prayer throughout their daily lives.
The Liturgy of the Hours is typically a four volume set and, quite frankly, can be intimidating to the lay person. The volumes can be cost prohibitive and viewed as difficult to utilize on a daily basis.
I had a set for a while but found it cumbersome, particularly when I was traveling and my dates overlapped moving from one volume of the set to another.
Content
Christian Prayer, in my opinion, is a much more manageable alternative to the full Liturgy of the Hours and if you have the book with you, you automatically have all of the prayers for the entire liturgical year. It’s much easier to manage and more convenient to have with you at all times.
Christian Prayer is organized very similarly to the Liturgy of the Hours but it’s on a much smaller scale. There is a learning curve to it for sure!
I found a video that provides a good overview of the mechanics:
When I first saw all of the different colored ribbons, I didn’t have the first idea how to utilize them. I’m probably still doing it wrong but the system I have works.
The focus of Christian Prayer is the morning and evening prayers but it does contain some daytime and night prayers also.
Some editions may contain other resources such as hymns, the psalms, etc., so be sure to check the specifics to see if it has the features you may want.
The small booklet called, Saint Joseph Guide for Christian Prayer, which is invaluable, particularly for a beginner. Once you figure out the process, the booklet may not be needed. I like it though because it has all of the Saint’s feast days listed, what pages to use, etc. Here is what it looks like:
The booklet is published for each year but they are only a few dollars. Money well spent. Usually, the publisher will send you one along with the purchase of Christian Prayer but most Catholic book stores will have them.
Where to Find Christian Prayer
There are a number of great publishers that offer Christian Prayer.
I purchased mine from Catholic Book Publishing. Now, I don’t have any affiliation with them but I do think they offer a great product. I ordered the black zipper one since I tend to throw my books in a backpack and thought the zippered case would give it a fighting chance.
All of the other major Catholic retailers and even Amazon offer versions that might suit your needs.
Some Benefits of Christian Prayer
I have been using Christian Prayer on a regular basis to start and end my day. I can’t recommend it enough for a number of reasons, some more subjective and some more analytical.
- Communal Prayer: The prayers are often prayed in community, whether it’s a religious community, a parish, or a group of friends. Praying together fosters a sense of unity and shared spiritual journey, providing support and encouragement to one another. Even if you aren’t with a group, I feel that you are still a spiritual participant with all of the clergy and other lay people who are praying at the same time you are.
- Sanctifying Time: Christian Prayer divides the day into different prayerful moments, offering an opportunity to sanctify each part of the day. By consciously pausing and redirecting our focus towards prayer, we acknowledge God’s presence throughout our daily activities, transforming our ordinary routines into sacred moments.
- Connection with the Universal Church: The prayers are said by Catholics worldwide, creating a bond of prayer and communion with the universal Church. When we pray the same psalms and readings as millions of other believers, we participate in a broader spiritual tapestry that spans across time and geographical boundaries.
- Scriptural Immersion: Christian Prayer incorporates a significant amount of Scripture, particularly the Psalms. Through the regular recitation or chanting of these biblical texts, you can deepen your familiarity with the Word of God and engage in a profound dialogue with Him.
- Sustained Prayer Life: Christian Prayer helps establish a structured rhythm of prayer throughout the day. It can help you maintain a consistent and balanced prayer life, fostering discipline and regularity in your spiritual practice.
- Transformation and Spiritual Growth: Praying from Christian Prayer can open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit. As you participate in this prayerful discipline, you can become more attuned to God’s presence, experience spiritual growth, and undergo a transformation that aligns you more closely with His will.
- Peace and Rest: Engaging in the prayers from Christian Prayer offers a peaceful respite in the midst of your busy life. It provides an opportunity to quiet your mind, refocus your thoughts on God, and find solace in His presence.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t thought of praying from Christian Prayer or even the Liturgy of the Hours, I would encourage you to take a look. A lot of churches have extra copies that they can let you borrow or even have.
I find that the regularity of praying from Christian Prayer and the habit it helps build have been beneficial, even in just the few weeks that I’ve been using it. It’s definitely a new cornerstone of my bookshelf.