Prayer Beads Prayer Center

Materials needed:

Medium size table“Praying with Sacred Beads” by Joan Hutson [published byLiguori Publications; available at Cokesbury, www.cokes-bury.com, (800) 672-1789]Variety of colored beadsPlastic twinePrayersInstructions (see below)

Praying with Sacred Beads

There is evidence that prayer beads were in use back in the third century. Today they are used in most of the world’smajor religions.

The use of prayer beads aids contemplative prayer by bringing into use the body, the mind and the spirit. The feel of thebead in the fingers helps to keep the mind from wandering while the ordered rhythm of the prayers leads one into still-ness. Sacred beads are used to slow down the mind to a new level of consciousness where we reclaim our relationshipwith the spirit.

The prayers that we are using are based on 10 beads. The form of the beads could be as simple as 10 knots tied in acord.

We have many different colors of beads. You may make a circle with 10 beads or you may make them in a long chain.

Preparatory prayer:

Inhale with a double breath, breathing in light.Exhale with a double breath, breathing out darkness.

Meditation on God’s PresenceFrom “Praying with Sacred Beads” by Joan Hutson

Pray: In the stillness of my soul, O my God, I am aware of your sacred presence. As I remain in your radiation of love, Iask that you:

Purify me (bead one)Forgive me (bead two)Enlighten me (bead three)Inspire me (bead four)Teach me (bead five)Lead me (bead six)Use me (bead seven)Empower me (bead eight)Transform me (bead nine)Indwell me (bead 10)

–By Barbara Weaver for Prayer Centers Lenten program of Williamsville (N.Y.) United Methodist Church