Catholic Prayer Aids

The Rosary Perhaps the most popular aid to prayer that is used by Christians is the rosary.  It is very common in Roman Catholic churches and is a set of beads each of which mark a prayer.  The rosary can be a great aid to prayer and meditation – or it can be rather perfunctory where prayers are rattled off at speed. 

The Rosary At the Crucifix make the Sign of the Cross, then recite the Apostle's Creed Say one Our Father on the first large bead One Hail Mary on each of the three small beads On the next large bead say One Glory Be, Announce the first Mystery then say one Our Father Move to the right side of the rosary then on each of the ten small beads recite one Hail Mary while contemplating on the Mystery On each large bead say the Glory Be, announce the next Mystery then recite one Our Father. Repeat steps 5 and six for all five decades of the Rosary (say the Mystery, one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be) At the end of the last decade on the medal recite the Glory Be, followed by 'Hail Holy Queen' then 'Oh My Jesus'. It is then customary to kiss the crucifix followed by the Sign of the Cross. Prayer intentions: You may optionally ask Our Lady and list all of them before you begin the first mystery (you may also dedicate the entire rosary for a single intention), or you may list seperate intentions at the beginning of each decade before the Our Father. http://ecatholic2000.com/pray/prayer28.shtml

Candles  We are used to seeing candles in church.  Even when MCC congregations meet in social halls, community centres, bars or shop fronts we tend to use candles on the altar table to mark a space as being special and set apart.  The original purpose of candles was to provide light so the people could see what was happening on the altar and so the priest could see and read the service book!      We use them, as Christians, as a visual reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.  In advent many churches have an Advent wreath with one candle being lit each week until the Midnight Mass when all are alight and represent the light of the world coming into the world., we use them at Easter when we light the huge Paschal candle – symbol of the Risen Christ and we use them in baptisms when we give a lit candle to the newly baptised as a sign of the light of Christ which surrounds them.   What were candles originally used for? Give three reasons why Christians use candles nowadays. 

Incense / Joss Sticks  Incense is a mixture of resin from various trees originally found in what is now Saudi Arabia.  In the Old Testament it was used in worship in the Temple as it represented the prayers of the people rising up to God.  It continued to be used in the Christian Church partly because of its roots in Judaism and partly because of its use in Roman imperial religion.  In an age which was less clean and more smelly I am sure it was also used to dampen down the smell of the congregation!  Many churches use it now in their worship either in very formal ways with a thurible being used to spread the smoke around or simply in a bowl burning at the front.  People often use joss sticks – smaller sticks of incense – to use at home.  There are usually some at the front near the statue of Mary.    God gave us five senses, hearing, touch, taste, sight and smell.  Incense involves our sense of smell in worship and reminding us of our prayers rising towards heaven.  It also helps us, at home, in creating a sacred space where we can pray and focus on God.   

Statues In the West Christians have used statues as a focus for prayers.  Some types of Christians – Protestants – can find this really difficult as the Bible tells the Jewish people not to worship images but only God.  These words were written in a time when people saw statues as idols which were worshipped.  Within Christianity statues, of Jesus and the saints, are used as an aid to prayer.  They remind us of people who have lived lives of holiness before us and, as the modern worship song O Church Arise says, cheer us on our way in our own lives like a crowd of witnesses, or they help us focus on Jesus.

Icons  Eastern Christians in the Orthodox churches were always suspicious of status but developed, instead, beautiful icons.  These are paintings of God the Father, Jesus, the Trinity or saints.  They take a long time to paint and are highly stylised.  The icon painter spends years learning his or her art and sees the painting as a form of prayer.  Each icon is rich in theological symbolism and they are designed to draw us into the life of God through our reflection on the image.  They are found in most orthodox churches and in the great churches of Constantinople were of mosaics and led the people in prayer and devotion.

Other Prayer Aids Joss sticks Rosary Beads Statues Cross Stained Glass Window What were candles originally used for? Give three reasons why Christians use candles nowadays.  Explain how each prayer aid can be used. What is a prayer? Who can pray?

Different Types of Prayer Arrow prayer Prayer of Praise Prayer of Repentance What is a prayer? Who can pray? Meditation