First, let’s look back to the suggestion from last week about setting an alarm on you phone or watch as a “call to prayer.” Did you try that? If so, what was your experience? Did it annoy you or did you find it a good “break” in your routine? I set an alarm on my phone for 3:15 in the afternoon. I found that even though I set the alarm, it was almost always a surprise when it alarmed. I was never expecting it because I seemed always busy with something when the alarm sounded. But then as I silenced the alarm, I found it refreshing. No matter what I was doing, I could pause for a moment, turn my attention to God and be in prayer. For me it was good reminder that there is much beyond my busyness.
This week let’s think for a moment about the Daily Office. There are a number of places you can find the order and form for the Daily Office. The one I am most familiar with is the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church in the USA. There (pp 37 – 146) you will find a form for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Noonday Prayer, and Compline.
The Daily Office serves as a reminder that prayer is to fill our day. That we are to take time during the day to turn from what we are doing and turn to prayer. The Office does this is a “formal” way. Many have found it an enriching experience to incorporate some form of the Daily Office into their day.
One online site for the daily office is http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html .
Take a few minutes this week to explore the Daily Office and see how it strikes you.