#1 The Hours

I am trying to think of a way to describe the latest development in my spiritual journey. It involves the hours of the day and the marking of them with prayer. Writing about it in a blog is risky because I know that most of my readers are probably in a hurry and may not read the whole story...but here goes.

Some time ago I acquired a book called "Music of Silence". It is a tiny volume that simply describes the monastic hours of prayer observed through the days and nights in Benedictine Christian communities. I have had this book for a few years and have marked and made notes on its pages. I started a series of small spiral-bound notebooks in which I write personal notes, scriptures, poetry and lyrics that pertain to each hour of prayer. From time to time I have observed the hours of prayer for a day. I loved it, but it never clicked into a pattern of daily observances for me.

When we went to Sea Ranch this month I took all of my notebooks with me and decided to practice the Hours each day. I took time to meditate upon the meaning of each Hour and add verses and thoughts to my notebooks. As the time went by prayer began to dominate my thinking and I found myself eagerly looking forward to each Hour of prayer.

There is a rhythm in the Hours that flows gracefully through the day, like a river of silence and stillness in the background of my life. Instead of an interruption to my activities, I saw the Hours as essential to my pursuits.

I was intentional in observing the Hours, but my observances were not lengthy. Much of the time I entered the time by thoughtfully reciting the Lord's prayer. Then I used my notebooks to guide me into the purpose of each Hour. I read scriptures that came to mind or I listened to a song on my Ipod. Sometimes I just stood and looked out at the sea and sky and yielded my thoughts to the Lord.

The Hours are: Vigils, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline.

Now that I am home I am continuing to observe them. Since I am not part of a community that observes the Hours, I practice them in whatever ways they come to me . I find that each Hour fits beautifully into whatever is happening when it arrives. For me it has become a way to continually seek the Lord and enjoy His presence in my life.

I plan to blog about each of the Hours and my experiences of them in the coming days. Perhaps the practice of the Hours will become a blessing to my friends.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

O make me Thine in deed, Thou blessed Son!

I need Thee, O I need Thee,

Every hour I need Thee!

O bless me now, my Saviour--I come to Thee.

(This hymn was written by a mother of many children as she cared for them at home.)