FIXED-HOUR PRAYER
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Why Engage It?
Have you ever found it difficult to pray? Have you had a hard time integrating a consistent routine of prayer in your day? This was as true for people in the 1st Century as it is today. Fixed-hour prayer is perhaps the oldest of prayer disciplines, finding its roots in ancient Judaism. Even the Psalmist says, “seven times a day do I praise you” (Psalms 119:164). Throughout her history, the church has developed many different forms of fixed-hour prayers with names like The Divine Hours, canonical prayers, and breviary.
Today it has largely been maintained by monastic orders. For example, in Benedictine monasteries, their fixed-hours are morning vigil (2 a.m.), lauds (5 a.m.), Prime morning prayer (7 a.m.), terce (9 a.m.), sext or midday prayer (12 p.m.), none or afternoon prayer (3 p.m.), vespers or evening prayer (6 p.m.), and compline or bedtime prayer (8 p.m.). Don’t let these times intimidate you! We can engage the spirit of this practice while starting small.
How to Practice It
Praying at fixed hours throughout your day is not about legalistically binding yourself to the times of prayer, but about gently bringing your attention back to God and His Kingdom throughout your busy day. There are many ways to try this practice. Perhaps incorporating a morning and evening prayer time is a big enough change for you. Perhaps a midday prayer alone would interrupt the stress of your day and allow God to speak to you. Remember, you are not engaging this practice to serve any fixed hours of prayer, but rather, allow them to serve you.
If you find this difficult, remember you do not have to do this alone. Try using tools such as Mission St. Claire, a wonderful app for morning and evening prayers, or Youthfront Midday Prayer, a great one for noon prayers. Maybe you can read a Psalm at each prayer time, or the Lord’s Prayer alone can be said at fixed hours of St. Benedict. Whatever rhythm you find, God will use these “divine appointments” to speak to you throughout your day.