Rule & Rhythm

The Church at prayer

Prayer Practices

“Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint.” — Oswald Chambers. Step into traditions tested by centuries.

Morning Prayer (Daily Office)

Anglican

The Church’s first word of the day: Scripture, psalm, canticle, collect — the reasonable service offered at sunrise.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Light a candle and still the body.
  2. 2.Open with the Venite or Jubilate.
  3. 3.Pray the appointed psalms.
  4. 4.Read the lessons.
  5. 5.Say the Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Collects.
  6. 6.Close with intercession.

Evening Prayer

Anglican

The day commended into God’s hands with thanksgiving, the Magnificat, and the Phos Hilaron.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Begin in silence.
  2. 2.Sing or say Phos Hilaron.
  3. 3.Pray the appointed psalms and lessons.
  4. 4.Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.
  5. 5.Collects for peace and aid against perils.

The Jesus Prayer

Eastern Orthodox / Hesychast

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The unceasing prayer of the heart.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Sit upright, breathe gently.
  2. 2.On the inhale: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God’.
  3. 3.On the exhale: ‘have mercy on me, a sinner’.
  4. 4.Return to it through the day.

Lectio Divina

Benedictine

Sacred reading in four movements: lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplatio.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Read the passage slowly.
  2. 2.Meditate on the word that shines.
  3. 3.Respond to God in prayer.
  4. 4.Rest in His presence.

Trusted resources

Ignatian Examen

Ignatian

A daily review in five steps: gratitude, petition, review, sorrow, resolve.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Become aware of God’s presence.
  2. 2.Review the day with gratitude.
  3. 3.Notice your emotions.
  4. 4.Choose one moment to pray over.
  5. 5.Look toward tomorrow.

Anglican Rosary

Anglican

33 beads — a cruciform pattern of cross, invitatory, weeks, and cruciform beads — for breath prayers.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Hold the cross: ‘In the Name of the Father…’
  2. 2.Invitatory bead: a short opening prayer.
  3. 3.On each week bead: a chosen short prayer (e.g., Jesus Prayer).
  4. 4.Cruciform beads: a longer phrase such as the Trisagion.

Centering Prayer

Contemplative

Consent to God’s presence and action within. A sacred word gently returns you when thoughts arise.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Choose a sacred word (e.g., ‘Jesus’, ‘Abba’).
  2. 2.Sit quietly for 20 minutes.
  3. 3.When thoughts come, return gently to the word.
  4. 4.Close with the Lord’s Prayer.

Visio Divina

Iconographic

Holy seeing: prayer through an icon or sacred image.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Sit before an icon or image.
  2. 2.Look without analyzing.
  3. 3.Notice what draws your heart.
  4. 4.Speak to God of what you see.
  5. 5.Rest in silent gaze.

Ignatian Imaginative Prayer

Ignatian

Enter a Gospel scene with the senses — see, hear, smell, touch — and meet Christ there.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Choose a Gospel scene.
  2. 2.Place yourself in it imaginatively.
  3. 3.Notice Jesus, others, yourself.
  4. 4.Speak with the Lord.
  5. 5.Conclude with a colloquy and Our Father.

Trusted resources

Praying with Icons

Eastern Orthodox

Icons are windows, not idols. They invite a prayerful gaze that opens onto the heavenly liturgy.

A way to pray

  1. 1.Light a candle before the icon.
  2. 2.Make the sign of the cross.
  3. 3.Say a brief prayer (Trisagion).
  4. 4.Gaze quietly.
  5. 5.Close with thanksgiving.

Trusted resources