Devotion

An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer

Devotion: An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer

Christopher Crawford, Editor Koinonia Imprint, 2013

This work is released under a Creative Commons - Attribution License This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon a work, even commercially, as long as they credit the original author for the original creation with the attribution CC-BY Christopher Crawford.
Additional credits and original sources noted in text where applicable. Anglican prayer beads cover image released into public domain by Rosarium Orans, 2006

Introduction

While many Christians use repetitive prayers and contemplative prayer as a normal part of their worship, many non-liturgical traditions and evangelical denomination focus on spontaneous prayer. Repetitive prayer shouldnt be the only type of prayer practiced by a Christian, and no practice should lead to thoughtless prayer (as warned against by Jesus in Matthew 6:7). No matter what type of prayer we use, we need to remember to keep the focus on God and not slip into empty habitual repetitions. The most commonly used contemplative or form prayer dates back to the Early Church and was taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13. Some people refer to Jesuss instruction on prayer as the Lords Prayer or as Our Father. I hope that this booklet will enrich your Spiritual Life, and that if you are not a Christian, remember that the most important prayer is Jesus, forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. God Bless You, Christopher Crawford

Table of Contents
Three Times Holy The Jesus Prayer Vouchsafe The Lords Prayer (Our Father) Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Glory Be A Gaelic Prayer For All Sorts and Conditions of Men For Our Enemies Psalm 96:9 For The Church Come Lord Jesus Prayers in Liturgical Languages Trisagion Kyrie eleison The Shema Using an Anglican Style Rosary Agnus Dei Prayer for an Anglican Rosary Saint Patrick's Breastplate The Romans Road to Salvation Page 15 Page 12 Page 11 Page 10 Page 8 Page 9 Page 6 Page 7 Page 5

Three Times holy

Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; The whole Earth is full of His glory. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Vouchsafe
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin

The Lords Prayer

(Our Father)

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

*in some translations- Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors is used instead of Forgive us our trespasses

Agnus Dei

(Lamb of God)
Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world have mercy upon us, Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world have mercy upon us, Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world give us Thy Peace.

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A Gaelic Prayer
God to enfold me, God to surround me, God in my speaking, God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping, God in my waking, God in my watching, God in my hoping.

God in my life, God in my lips, God in my soul, God in my heart.

God in my sufficing, God in my slumber, God in mine ever-living soul, God in mine eternity.
* from Carmina Gadelica a collection of prayers and poems collected and translated from the Gaelic language by Alexander Carmichael, 1900

For All Sorts and Conditions of Men

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them
From The Book of Common Prayer

For our Enemies

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From The Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 96:9
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him.

for The Church

Ever living God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope
*from the Book of Common Prayer

Come Lord Jesus

"Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:12) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble." (Psalm 46:1) "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless Gods Holy Name." (Psalm
103:1)

"Come Lord Jesus, draw us to yourself." (John 12:32)

*adapted from www.kingofpeace.org

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Prayers in Liturgical Languages

Trisagion Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Immortlis, miserre nobis.
*A Latin prayer whose name means Thrice Holy-Translation: Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. May have been developed from Isaiah 6:3- and both are included in the English adaptation Three Times Holy

Kyrie eleison Krie, elison (repeated 3x)

*Translated as, "Lord, have mercy." An Ancient Greek prayer that developed into the Jesus Prayer and is believed to have been based on 1 Chronicles 16:34

The Shema Shema Israel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad.

*The Shema is an Ancient Hebrew prayer still used in Judaism today. It translates to Oh Hear Isreal, The Lord is Our God, The Lord Alone, or The Lord is God, The Lord is One.

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Using an Anglican Style Rosary

A tool like prayer beads can be useful in keeping track of repetitive prayers. The cover image of this booklet is a representation of the layout for an Anglican Rosary, also known as Protestant or Christian Prayer Beads. You dont have to use prayer beads or Anglican/Episcopal style rosaries to use this booklet. However, some of the terms appear in the booklet for the benefit of people using the prayer beads in their devotions. Above The Cross (may be a dove or other religious symbol), The Red bead is The Invitatory, the Green beads are The Cruciforms, and the Black beads are The Weeks. Your set of prayer beads may also contain smaller beads that are not counted that are used as spacers. These are well known Rosary prayers- you can also develop your own cycle by using other prayers included in this booklet or by writing your own prayers that follow the same pattern.

Agnus Dei Prayer for an Anglican Rosary

The Cross- The Lords Prayer The Invitatory- "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."Psalm 19:14 The Cruciforms- Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world have mercy upon us, Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world have mercy upon us, Oh, Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, give us Thy Peace. The WeeksAlmighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.

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Saint Patrick's Breastplate

The Cross I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. The Invitatory Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. The Cruciforms I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. The Weeks 1. I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christs Incarnation; 2. his baptism in Jordan river; 3. his death on cross for my salvation; 4. his bursting from the spicd tomb; 5. his riding up the heavenly way; 6. his coming at the day of doom: 7. I bind unto myself today.

1. I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim;

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Saint Patrick's Breastplate (continued)

2. the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour; 3. the service of the seraphim; 4. confessors faith, apostles word, 5. the patriarchs prayers, the prophets scrolls; 6. all good deeds done unto the Lord, 7. and purity of virgin souls.

1. I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven, 2. the glorious suns life-giving ray, 3. the whiteness of the moon at even, 4. the flashing of the lightning free, 5. the whirling of the winds tempestuous shocks, 6. the stable earth, the deep salt sea, 7. around the old eternal rocks.

1. I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, 2. his eye to watch, his might to stay, 3. his ear to hearken, to my need; 4. the wisdom of my God to teach, 5. his hand to guide, his shield to ward; 6. the word of God to give me speech, 7. his heavenly host to be my guard.

*believed to have been written by St. Patrick (372-466). This translation was performed by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1889, and adapted for Adapted for use with Anglican Prayer Beads by Laura Kelly Campbell.

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In closing I would like to share with you the Romans Road to Salvation Romans 3:23- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23- "...The wages of sin is death But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."" Romans 5:8- "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!" Romans 10:13- "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!" Romans 10:9,10- "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

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