Organized by Forward Movement as "a community of disciples practicing faith at home," a variety of contributors from throughout the Episcopal Church share their stories, reflections, and ideas about how they seek to build and continue a life of Christian devotion in their own homes and families.
The Daily Office
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer have been at the heart of Anglican spirituality since the time of the Reformation. These "daily offices" of psalms, scriptures, and prayers provide a format for regular devotion that is both structured and flexible. In the Book of Common Prayer, Morning Prayer begins on page 75 and Evening Prayer begins on page 115. The BCP also includes a daily office lectionary (beginning on page 931), which provides the appointed scripture readings and psalms for every day of the year. The italicized "rubrics" in the BCP provide directions throughout. Because there are various options for different parts of the office, it might seem a little intimidating at first glance, but with regular use the Daily Office can become a familiar and powerful anchor of scriptural and prayerful devotion.
A popular online version of the Daily Office, including musical and spoken audio options, can be found here: the Mission of St. Clare. Another particularly beautiful version of the Office, with the ability to customize options according to your preference, is the St. Bede's Breviary.
The BCP also provides brief, one-page "Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families," which follow the basic structure of the Daily Office for morning, noon, early evening, and close of day, beginning on page 136.
Another good introduction to the practice of praying at set "hours" throughout the day is published by Forward Movement in their book Hour by Hour.
Saint Augustine's Prayer Book
A popular online version of the Daily Office, including musical and spoken audio options, can be found here: the Mission of St. Clare. Another particularly beautiful version of the Office, with the ability to customize options according to your preference, is the St. Bede's Breviary.
The BCP also provides brief, one-page "Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families," which follow the basic structure of the Daily Office for morning, noon, early evening, and close of day, beginning on page 136.
Another good introduction to the practice of praying at set "hours" throughout the day is published by Forward Movement in their book Hour by Hour.
Saint Augustine's Prayer Book
Recently revised, this is an updated Anglo-Catholic classic of devotion. Used as a supplement to help deepen engagement with the Book of Common Prayer, Saint Augustine's Prayer Book is a book of prayer and practice - with disciplines, habits, and patterns for building a Christian spiritual life. It will help you to develop strong habits of prayer, to prepare for and participate in public liturgy thoughtfully, and to nurture a mind and soul ready to work and give and pray for the spread of the kingdom.
Pray as You GoProduced by Jesuits, this popular app provides daily audio files with a pattern of Scripture, reflection, and prayer. It's a great way to incorporate prayer into your life during your daily commute, while your hands are full, or anywhere in your day that you can make twelve minutes for God.
The Daily Service
A ministry of Church of England, this daily radio broadcast from the BBC provides space for spiritual reflection with scripture reading, music, and prayer.
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