Anglican prayer bead sets consist of thirty-three beads divided Prayers into groups. The Cross There are four groups consisting of seven beads with additional In the Name of God, Father, Son, separate and larger beads separating the groups. and Holy Spirit. Amen. The Invitatory The number 33 signifies the number of years that Christ lived O God make speed to save me, on the Earth, while the number seven signifies wholeness or O Lord make haste to help me, completion in the faith, the days of creation, and the seasons of Glory to the Father, and to the the Church year. Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it The groupings are called “weeks.” The beads between and usu- was in the beginning, is now, and ally larger than the “weeks” beads are called “cruciform” beads. will be forever. Amen. When the loop of beads is opened into a circular shape, these The Cruciforms particular beads form the points of a cross within the circle of Holy God, the set, hence the term “cruciform.” Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Next after the cross on Anglican prayer bead sets is a single Have mercy upon me. bead termed the “invitatory” bead, giving the total of thirty- three. The Weeks Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Praying with the prayer beads The Lord’s Prayer The standard Anglican Our Father, who art in heaven, set consists of the fol- hallowed be thy Name, lowing pattern: Start with thy kingdom come, the cross (1), then the thy will be done, Invitatory Bead (2), then on earth as it is in heaven. the first Cruciform bead Give us this day our daily bread. (3), moving to the right, And forgive us our trespasses, through the first set of as we forgive those
seven beads (4) to the next who trespass against us. Cruciform bead, continu- And lead us not into temptation, ing around the circle. It but deliver us from evil. is suggested that you pray For thine is the kingdom, around the circle three and the power, and the glory, times (signifying the Holy for ever and ever. Amen. Trinity). You may conclude by saying the Lord’s prayer The Cross I bless the Lord. on the invitatory bead and/ or a final prayer on the cross as in the examples at right.
See the second page for alternative prayers. Mix and match the prayers to create your personal set. Bless The Lord Come Lord Jesus Prayer Agnus Dei Prayer
The Cross The Cross The Cross Blessed be the one, holy, “Blessing and glory and wisdom The Lord’s Prayer and living God. and thanksgiving and honor and The Invitatory Glory to God for ever and ever. power and might be to our God “Let the words of my mouth Amen. forever and ever! Amen.” and the meditation of my heart The Invitatory —Revelation 7:12 be acceptable in your sight, O God make speed to save me, The Invitatory O Lord, my strength and my O Lord make haste to help me, “God is our refuge and strength, redeemer.”—Psalm 19:14
Glory to the Father, and to the a very present help in time of The Cruciforms Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As trouble.”—Psalm 46:1 Oh, Lamb of God that taketh it was in the beginning, is now, The Cruciforms away the sins of the world and will be forever. Amen. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and have mercy upon us, The Cruciforms all that is within me, bless God’s Oh, Lamb of God that taketh Behold now, bless the Lord, all Holy Name.”—Psalm 103:1 away the sins of the world you servants of the Lord. You The Weeks have mercy upon us, that stand in the house of the “Come Lord Jesus, draw us to Oh, Lamb of God that taketh Lord, lift up your hands in the yourself.”—John 12:32 away the sins of the world holy place and bless the Lord. give us Thy Peace. The Weeks Julian of Norwich Prayer The Weeks
I lift up my eyes to the hills; The Cross Almighty and merciful Lord, From where is my help to come? In the Name of God, Father, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, My help comes from the Lord, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. bless us and keep us. The maker of heaven and earth. Amen. The Invitatory Trisagion and O God make speed to save me, An Evening Prayer Jesus Prayer O Lord make haste to help me, Glory to the Father, and to the The Cross The Cross Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As Glory to the Father, and to the In the Name of God, Father, it was in the beginning, is now, Son, and to the Holy Spirit. as Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. and will be forever. Amen. it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Invitatory The Cruciforms O God make speed to save me, God of your goodness, The Invitatory O Lord make haste to help me, give me yourself, Open my lips, O Lord, Glory to the Father, and to the For you are enough to me. and my mouth shall proclaim Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As And I can ask for nothing less Your praise. it was in the beginning, is now, that is to your glory. The Cruciforms and will be forever. Amen. And if I ask for anything less, Guide us waking, O Lord, The Cruciforms I shall still be in want, and guard us sleeping; Holy God, for only in you have I all. that awake we may watch
Holy and Mighty, The Weeks with Christ, and asleep Holy Immortal One, All shall be well, and all shall be we may rest in peace. Have mercy upon me. well, and all manner of things The Weeks The Weeks shall be well. Jesus, lamb of God, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Or have mercy on us. Have mercy on me, a sinner. In His love He has done His Jesus, bearer of our sins, works, and in His love He has have mercy on us. made all things beneficial to us. Jesus, redeemer of the world, give us your peace.