Spice Up Your Prayer Life: Prayer Beads

Praying the Lutheran Rosary

MEDITATION ON THE CROSS

The cross is the revelation of God's love hidden in human suffering. The meditation begins and ends here, as we are reminded that Jesus' death and resurrection gives us confidence to pray directly to God.

Begin by touching the cross and pray The Sign of the Cross:

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

At the first bead also recite this verse: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Three small beads- on each bead say this prayer: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." -Luke 23:47 prayer of the penitent bandit

One large bead- on the large bead you may recite either the Morning of Evening Prayer, depending on the time of day:

Morning Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me, I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me.

Amen.

Evening Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have protected me, by Your grace.

Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by Your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have, Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.

Juncture: The three branches of the beads meet here, and we recall the Trinity Three-in-one and One-in-three, all eternal and all divine. Pray this prayer: "Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever

Amen."

MEDITATION ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

God has chosen us to be the people of God, and promises blessing when we keep the commandments.

Ten small beads: We recall that God will judge each of us by the commands we are given. Pray this prayer for each bead "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong."

-Job 6:24

The large bead: Recite the Ten Commandments, mindful of what you have done or not done to fulfill them.

1. You shall not have other gods.

2. You shall not use God's name in vain.

3. You shall keep the Sabbath holy.

4. You shall honor your father and mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not lie about your neighbor.

9. You shall not desire your neighbor's house.

10. You shall not desire your neighbor's spouse, employees, or anything that belongs to them.

When you have finished, you may say, "Save me Lord, I am afraid, I have not done all you have commanded."

MEDITATION ON THE CREED

Jesus' life, death and resurrection show us the depths of God's love and the lengths that God will go to, in order to redeem us. We recall the promises of God, revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

Ten small beads: Our old lives are turned upside by the varied revelations of the Triune God, so we might trust God with all our heart. Pray this prayer for each bead "Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

-Philippians 2:11

The large bead: Recite the Creed, noticing the gifts of God: all of creation, including your own life; unmerited salvation graciously bestowed through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the sustaining Faith that is given by the Holy Spirit; and a community of believers who console and assist each other.

I believe in God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended to Hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the community of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and an everlasting life. Amen.

When you have finished you may say, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

- Mark 9:24

MEDITATION ON THE LORD’S PRAYER

When we are justified by grace, through faith, we can stand before God with petitions for the world. Jesus taught his followers the way to pray.

Four small beads: For each bead you may say "Lord, teach me how to pray."

The fifth bead: Drawn into one body by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be your name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done, on Earth as in Heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

Forgive us your trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.

Lead us not into temptation.

And deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and forever. Amen.

MEDITATION ON HOLY BAPTISM

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word. Christ said in the gospel of Matthew, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." -Matthew 28:19

Five small beads: We recall our baptism, the sign that God has claimed us as children and healed our wounds. For each bead pray these words, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." -Matthew 8:2

The large bead: Recite the Thanksgiving for Baptism

I give you thanks, for in the beginning your spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the seas you led your people from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word, you claim me as your child, making me an heir of your promise and servant of all. I praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all I praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower me with your Spirit and renew my life with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

MEDITATION ON CONFESSION

Our Baptism marks us with the Cross of Christ, when we are terrified by our own sins, we can seek assurance that God has selected us for salvation and forgives our sins. Pastors are charged with declaring absolution when a sinner repents of their

sins.

Ten small beads: On each bead you may say, "Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner."

The large bead: Trusting in the mercy of God, assured of the promises already. made on your behalf, know that God forgives you. Pray the confession and forgiveness

Merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

MEDITATION ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and drink.

Six small beads: As you reflect on the reception of the Lord's Supper say these words on each bead, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us."

The large bead: We recall the witness of the evangelists who wrote:

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which He was betrayed, took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and said: "Take! Eat! This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me! In the same way He also took the cup after supper, gave thanks, gave it to them, and said:

"Take and drink from it, all of you! This cup is the New Covenant in my blood,

which is shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of

Me!"

FINAL MEDITATION

Juncture- The three branches of the beads meet here, and we recall the Trinity, Three-in-one and One-in-three, all eternal and all divine. Pray this prayer: "Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Amen."

One large bead- Pray the Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirt rejoices in God my Savior, For He has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Three small beads- on each bead say this prayer: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." -Luke 23:47 prayer of the penitent bandit

The final small bead- pray the Lord's Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done, on Earth as in Heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.

Lead us not into temptation.

And deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and forever. Amen.

Finish by touching the cross and pray The Sign of the Cross:

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."