Focus of heart, mind, soul remains one of the marks and passions of an Anam Cara.
Throughout the years, many monastics have maintained a practice allowing for sacred pauses throughout the day to sow a disciplined pattern of seeking God, and to continuously align their heart-focus, feed their passion, and renew their mind. This practice has become a way to keep His Kingdom and His righteousness as our center in the day-to-day.
The Daily Office is a historical practice of Christ-followers throughout history, inspired by practices common before Christ, observed in the lives of the First Testament faith-bearers, added to through the years by spiritual seekers, and handed down to us. It is a form of prayer and daily discipline shared by the Eastern and Western Church, and held in common by various Christian traditions.
But the Daily Office is not just individual “quiet time”– the Daily Office makes it possible for the Church to unite her heart, not just in community gatherings, but every day.
While there are different forms and traditions of the Daily Office that can be observed during different times of day, this Daily Office is presented with the following elements, for use during the suggested times:
Lauds (Prayer Upon Rising) The first words spoken for your day, thanking God for the gift of another day and submitting yourself to His love and heart for the day. This prayer has been prayed upon rising since before the birth of Christ.
Prime (Morning: 6:00 AM) The core of this reading is the daily Psalm– since at least the time of Ezra and likely earlier, a particular Psalm was sung in the Temple for each day of the week, and the early church continued the practice of regular Psalm use.
Terce (Mid-Morning: 9:00 AM) The Discipline for the mid-morning prayer is either a reading taken from the Book of Common Prayer Old Testament Reading, or the First Fruits of Zion’s Torah Portions. The prayers are a variety culled from church liturgy or significant figures in the church.
Sext (Noon: 12:00 PM) Taken from the King Messiah mid-day office, the Meditation features different movements that can be used in tandem with Anglican-style Prayer Beads. The discipline is a reading about an Anglican hero of the faith or Catholic saint.
None (Afternoon: 3:00 PM) The Discipline for mid-afternoon is either a reading of the Prophets from the Book of Common Prayer or the Haftara (Prophet) reading from the First Fruits of Zion’s Torah Portions.
Vespers (Evening: 6:00 PM) It is suggested that Vespers be done around the dinner table, with family and/or friends. The readings are meant for use with multiple people: a Psalm, a Proveb, or the Gospel reading, utilizing either the Book of Common Prayer or the First Fruit of Zion’s Torah Portions, and the prayers are again a collection of prayers from church liturgy or significant figures in the church.
Matins (Night: 9:00 PM) The night time movement reflects more of a personal “Quiet Time” approach. The monastic ends their day utilizing the Prayer of Examen and a personal journal to reflect on their day and to prepare for the morrow.
Compline As the Monastic lays down for the night, the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) is prayed as a way of concluding the day.
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