How to pray the rosary

Say, what? Did we switch traditions here?

Good — now that I've got your attention, let me explain. We all know about the Catholic rosary and its dedication to Mary; but did you know that there are Anglican prayer beads, similar to the rosary, that can be used to focus prayer?

These prayer beads were created in the 1980s by a contemplative prayer group in the Episcopal Church (the name for the Anglican church in the USA). Borrowing elements from the Catholic rosary and the Orthodox prayer rope, the prayer beads can be used to help you be really mindful during prayer. In a way, using prayer beads combines prayerful petition with meditation on the mystery that is faith.

Since the Reformation, many Protestants have been negative about the use of beads to assist prayer. It's true that beads have been thought 'too Romish', too Marian, or too unscriptural to be used by Bible-based Christians. But it's possible to think of these another way — whatever gets us praying, as long as it is heartfelt and doesn't go directly against the Word, should be good. Here's where our freedom of conscience comes to the fore! And now Protestants of all kinds (yes, including Lutherans) have found the structure of the prayer beads helpful.

Resources

The Internet is a great source of information on prayer beads, so if you want to Google 'Anglican rosary' you'll find all sorts of stuff, from how to make the beads to the prayers you might want to use. The site I like the best and have used for this article is www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm

Structure and meaning

The symbolism of the Anglican rosary is beautiful — 33 beads in all, one for each year of Jesus' life, with 4 groups of 7 beads (the 'weeks')divided by 4 larger cruciform beads, so named because they form a cross within the circlet. An 'invitatory bead' and a cross complete the layout.

Easy to make

They are really simple to make. I made some using wooden beads and a piece of leather thong, along with a Cross of St Brigid I bought as a necklace once but never wore because it's too big. Fancy isn't the point — function is what's important. I think it took all of 15 minutes, and would be a great craft to do with children.

To help focus prayer

To pray with the beads, start with a prayer on the cross — try the Lord's Prayer — and move on to the invitatory bead. From there you pray on each bead in turn, moving to the right. You can pray around the beads three times, to symbolise the Trinity, perhaps dedicating each round to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in turn.

Finish your time of prayer with silence, to listen to God.

There are many, many, formal prayers that you could pray with these beads. The website mentioned above has several ideas, and Luther's daily prayers would be perfect.

Alternatively, you could use each bead to represent a person or thing you want to pray for — it's your prayer time after all! The main thing is, we should pray — early, often, and by whatever means work for you. God listens, all the time.

Did you know?

Rosary comes from the Latin rosarium meaning rose garden or garland of roses.

Kathy Mildred