Lord Jesus Christ, your first disciples asked you to teach them to pray, and you gave them the words that all believers throughout the ages have learned by heart.  When we Christians pray the “Our Father,” as you taught us to do, deep chords of faith are struck and resound.  But sometimes, O Lord, our spirits are blocked when we pray only by rote.  So we ask you again to teach us to pray in new ways for new times.

By your grace many are rediscovering the ancient practice of using beads as an aid to prayer.  To further this new awakening, we ask you to bless and increase the ministry of Beads of Prayer.  Give us the vision, imagination and energy needed to extend this ministry in ways that are both productive and manageable.

All this we pray, O Christ, in the power of your spirit for the benefit of your people.  To you be honor, thanks and praise, now and forever.  Amen


Prayer written for On Beads of Prayer by the Rt. Rev. A. Theodore Eastman, Chair of OBOP Advisory Committee, retired Bishop of  Maryland, former Vicar of the Washington National Cathedral, former Rector of St. Alban’s Parish, Washington, DC,  9/23/06