The Anglican (Protestant) tradition uses the ancient Christian spiritual practice of praying the daily office. The daily office (aka Conical hours, divine hours, Liturgy of the Hours, or fixed hours of prayer) are fixed times of prayer set throughout the day. Millions of Christians the world over are in prayer at these times, and this routine allows space for communion with God, and the potential for continual spirit of God-awareness in regular life.
It encourages followers of Christ to accomplish that which the Apostle Paul admonished, to “pray without ceasing.”
Here are the “divine hours”:
This practice is particularly powerful when done in community. A retreat, or trip with others could include the teaching and experience of the daily office. And, one does not need a priest or clergy to “do it right”. If a group is devoted to celebrating the offices, all that is needed is the cooperation of others to commitment to it in heart and mind; and reverence and regularity.
To learn more, I offer these good resources:
Basic Helpful and Informative article.
Daily Office, which one can follow online.
Praying the Daily Office I: (Anglo-Catholic Style Daily Office) Traditional Anglo-Catholic Offices in the American PDF
Praying the Office II. (Quick Reference Guide To the Prayer Book Offices)
Have you ever prayed the offices/divine hours? Would you consider praying the ones that wouldn’t interfere with your sleep?
To be continued…