Resources for Daily Prayer

The Lutheran Zephyr recently posted a question about what to use in order to hold group prayer and devotion. As someone who is becoming more and more engaged in the Daily Office, I thought I would offer up a few resources.

The Book of Common Prayer – Ok, I know it is Anglican, and that both the Zeph and I are Lutheran, but we Lutherans pretty much just stole our better liturgical practices from the Anglicans anyway, so it just makes sense to go the source. Personally, I use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and King James Bible. I do realize, of course, that this choice is not for everyone. I happen to like the cadence of the language, especially of the Psalms. An electronic version is available here.

As long as we are on the BCP, the new standard in the United States among mainline Anglicans in the 1979 edition. I have no particular bias against it, though when I try and pray using the 1979, it doesn’t feel right. I wish I could be more specific. You can find a copy here in html that is pretty good.

As long as we are on the BCP, I would make a further suggestion. The heart of the office, regardless of what edition one may use, is the Psalter. The BCP in both the 1928 and 1979 editions divide them up by days, with portions appointed for morning and evening. Even if one were to start with the Daily Devotions and then plug in the proper Psalms for the day, I think it would be edifying and certainly in the spirit of Office tradition.

The Glenstal Book of Prayer – The Benedictine Monks from Glenstal Abbey in Ireland have produced a nice little prayer book that abbreviates the hours and makes them far more accessible to those of us not cloistered. It is unapologetically Roman Catholic, but a couple of simple omissions make sit unobjectionable even to the most Lutheran among us. The office is simplified and written in modern English. I use this one at work from time just so I can say a noon-day or mid afternoon office that is brief yet meaningful. The book is available for less than $12.00 at Amazon.

Benedictine Daily Prayer – This is a nice little breviary written by a Lutheran Pastor/ Benedictine Oblate who plays in a blues band while teaching liturgical studies at Notre Dame (whew!). I have previewed this one and like it quite a bit, though I do not own it. It does seem to grab the spirit of the offices for modern folks, though at $35.00 it is a little expensive. (Note: it is leather bound, so if you spring for it, it will in fact last)

Various Roman Catholic Books – There is Christian Prayer , Shorter Christian Prayer, and the full-on multi-volume Liturgy of the Hours . I keep a copy of Shorter Christian Prayer around because it is slim and fits easily into my back pocket. When I used to hike this is the one I took with me. If you were to go with one of these, I like this one because it is easiest to use and requires the least amount of change for Lutheran use. All of the readings are set out for you so the amount of flipping around is minimal. Plus, it is only $15.00.

Lutheran Alternatives – Lutherans aren’t exactly renowned for our devotion to the offices, but here is what is our there.
1. The LC-MS offers this set of daily devotions (WARNING!!! PDF file!!!!)
2. The ELCA has the Daily Prayer rites from Renewing Worship available here.
3. The ELCA also has this prayer resource page with ideas that range from very good to very flaky.
4. Phillip Pfatteicher of Manual on the Liturgy fame has recently published The Daily Prayer of the Church, which has gotten very good reviews and has been commended by some members of the Society of the Holy Trinity for use.

The Do-It-Yourself-Method – Zephyr had mentioned this as an option, and it is easier to do than you might think by simply looking at what the Ordinary of an office happens to be. Morning Prayer would go something like this:

1. O Lord, open my lips. R/ And my mouth will proclaim your praise
2. Antiphon and Psalm. The antiphon should be appropriate to the season and the Psalm is generally 95 (preferred) 24, 67, or 100. However, the antiphon may be removed or used only at the beginning of a Psalm for smaller group or individual use.
3. Psalmody (see http://www.bcponline.org/DOLectionary/dolectionary.htm)
4. Readings (see http://www.bcponline.org/DOLectionary/dolectionary.htm)
5. Gospel Canticle (Usually St. Luke 1:68-79)
6. Intercessions and Prayers
7. The Lord’s Prayer
8. Concluding Prayer(s)
9. Dismissal

I know that there are probably a thousand other good resources out there, but these are the ones I am most familiar with and the ones I am most apt to use. I hope it helps.