In my first post, I gave a brief history of prayer beads and introduced the Protestant, or Anglican, Rosary. In this series, I will give a meditation and prayer to use with your Rosary each week during the Lenten season. Use this meditation beginning the third Sunday in Lent.
Praying with beads: A Practice for Lent- Week 3
Print out prayer here: 3 Sunday of Lent- Psalm 51- 1-17
Begin by getting still, take several centering breaths, and slowly read Psalm 51: 1-17. We will meditate on this Scripture in our practice.
Anglican Rosary with African Opal and red coral.
When you are ready to begin, hold the invitatory bead and focus on the meditation assigned to it. After a few moments, move on to the Resurrection bead and do the same. Enter the circle of prayer with the first Cruciform bead and slowly work around the circle to the right.
Invitatory bead– Focus on God, Our Rock and our Redeemer
Resurrection bead– Focus on Christ, who invites into us into relationship
1st Cruciform bead: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
1st set of Weeks beads: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
2nd Cruciform bead: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2nd set of Weeks beads: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
3rd Cruciform bead: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
3rd set of Weeks beads: Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight
4th Cruciform bead: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
4th set of Weeks beads: You are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
1st Cruciform bead: Upon returning back to the 1st Cruciform bead, you may choose to continue around the circle again or exit your time of prayer.
Resurrection bead– Wash me, Lord, and I shall be whiter than snow…Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit…O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Invitatory bead-Take a deep breath. Ask for God to wash you, to bathe you in his Love and Light. Ask the Holy Spirit to create in you a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Feel yourself held by the gaze of a Holy Love.
Interested in learning more about Christian meditation and praying with beads? Start learning today with my self-paced study, Praying with Beads, take the quiz and get your FREE guide, and save your spot in my next Christ-centered meditation and contemplation course!
