Friday, 26 November 2010
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An Online Book of Common Prayer
A lot of Christians that I know neglect the blessings known as the Book of Common Prayer and Christian calendar. Noticing this, a few well-known folks associated with the "new monastic" movement have come together and formed a book and website for the average [evangelical] Christian. The website provides prayer material for every day of the year. Each day's material consists of responsive prayer, scripture, song, quotes from historic siblings of faith, and personal prayers. I've been accessing this site daily as of late and it has been a real blessing. The site also provides prayers for different times of the day. One feature of the website that I like is the 12 month Christian calendar. Catholics know about the Christian calendar but many protestants don't. It's a shame.
I'm sad to say that I've yet to be a part of a congregation that embraces a unique Christian calendar that intentionally (because they all celebrate the major Christian holidays) works on a timeline based off scripture and Christian tradition instead of the land they live in. I've yet to be a part of a church that celebrates the days attributed to certain martyrs/saints (though no congregation has ignored the witnesses of the past). Along with that, I've yet to be a part of a church that uses a calendar that incorporates their personal victories that are unique to the congregation. I've also never been a part of a congregation that has developed their own book of common prayer/worship that includes songs, prayers, and quotes written or collected by the members of the congregation.
I have been lazier than I'd like. I want to be a part of developing a book of worship/prayer for a congregation as well as a calendar. I see amazing potential for these types of tools, especially in the way of unity.
Do you employ a Christian calendar or book of common prayer/worship? Have you been a part of a congregation that has developed these tools? Do you think it would benefit a congregation to have a calendar or book of worship/prayer that incorporated material unique to that community?
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Comments (4)
As a Catholic and especially one in religious life, I live and breathe the liturgical calendar; in fact this Sunday is the liturgical New Year and the beginning of Advent! The Incarnation of Christ radically altered the very fabric of our reality, and I love being a part of a faith tradition that reflects this in as many ways as possible. I also love remembering the various saints and martyrs on their feast days, as well as celebrating key moments in Salvation History such as the Annunciation, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, etc.
As far as a common prayer book, every religious order around the world plus all diocesan priests pray the Liturgy of the Hours which, when prayed in their fullness, begins early in the morning with one period of prayer and extends to just before bedtime, with seven periods of prayer in all. It is particularly beautiful to witness a monastic community chanting the prayers antiphonally! As with the liturgical calendar, the Liturgy of the Hours helps us to consecrate even the movements of our daily life to God, and many lay people in the Church pray it as well.
And all people may rest assured that this prayer goes up during every hour of every day and has for over a thousand years on behalf of everyone, even non-Catholics, and we are all so very happy to labor in prayer for you!
I recently received a copy of Common Prayer (Shane and Company's) for review. I love it. I miss liturgy, especially after being in a Pentecostal church for years after being raised Catholic. I currently go to a Methodist church that has a bit more of a Praise-and-Worship bent. They recently said that they're starting a more traditional service that uses liturgy (among other things). I can't wait to be a part of this.
This is very interesting. I never really knew of this until now. I am intrigued!
Its really interesting...sad to say, I failed to do this in my own and making too busy at work and didn't face my church activity and I found your thoughts right :)...
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