Since ancient times, people have been praying in some way with prayers beads ... they may not have been strung together, they may have just been used as a symbol for counting prayers. Desert Mothers and Fathers are said to have carried pebbles in their pockets. Roman Catholics pray with the Rosary and many, if not all, religions have their own style of prayers beads. I been drawn to Anglican Prayer beads, I really like their rhythm. It has become a prayer practice for me to make prayer beads for others and for myself. It is creative, contemplative, and calming. Here is the set of beads I am using this week as I am immersed in the writings of Teresa of Avila and am contemplating the Interior Castle within.
If you want to know more about formal praying with beads, you can google Anglican Prayer beads and find all the information that you want. I don't always use the formal words that are used to describe the set of prayer beads, I use words that work for me.
My invitation is to read just until you are full. Buy a book on Praying with Prayer Beads if you must. Here is a good book: A Bead and a Prayer. They also have a simple website. Here is their "basics" page: http://abeadnaprayer.com/prayer-bead-basics/
And then ... just pray and allow your prayer to form you. As your prayers form you, you will form your prayers. Here is my prayer for now ...
Cross: Prayer of Teresa
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Bead of Invitation (to prayer) Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God
Cruciform: 2 Corinthians 12:9
My Grace is sufficient for you.
Beads: a Taize chant (spoken or sung)
Holy Spirit, Come to us
Repeat Cruciform prayer and 7 beads 3 more times or continue around the beads as many times as you want and can ... before you emerge up from prayer and out into the world. The refrain I am using "Holy Spirit, Come to us," is the chanting refrain that is sung underneath Veni Sanctu Spiritu, which means "Come Holy Spirit."
Prayer of Gathering of the Bead of Invitation (to the world) Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God
Cross: Prayer of Teresa
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices. Amen.
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices. Amen.
So ... this is my process. May God bless you as your own process unfolds in your prayer practice.
Your own way of praying with prayer beads will unfold over time. Here I have shared the way I have taken praying with beads and made it my own practice, one that fits me and my lifestyle as a praying person.
Sometimes ... I will take prayer beads with me and simply use the refrain (what I'm praying on the bead prayer) while holding them ... suddenly I realize that I am not praying the prayer, the prayer is praying me.
Holy Spirit, Come to Us
You will hear much the same music in the more popular Come, Holy Spirit which in Latin is Veni, Sancte Spiritus. Take this clip to hear it beautifully done, the icons are stunning as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmxXwAgkhWQ
So ... I hear the words in my prayers to the music and style and pace of Come, Holy Spirit :)
