Anglican Prayer Beads (sometimes known as Protestant Prayer Beads or Christian Prayer Beads) are a relatively new form of prayer, blending the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope and the Roman Catholic Rosary. The thirty-three bead design was created by the Rev. Lynn Bauman in the mid-1980s, through the prayerful exploration and discovery of a contemplative prayer group.

Like other prayer bead practices, the rhythm and repetition of the prayers promote a peaceful stillness before a time of silence as we rest in God and/or a time of silence as we listen for God.

There are no set prayer patterns for Anglican Prayer Beads. I took that as freedom to compile some of my own.

This one is based on the O Antiphons, a set of Old Testament prophetic images for Jesus Christ. They’ve been used in worship during the Advent and Christmas Seasons since the 8th century. Their most familiar form is the beloved hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Begin with the cross and invitatory bead. Pray around the circle of cruciform beads and week beads three times in an unhurried manner then exit with the closing prayers for the invitatory bead and cross.

Cross
In the name of God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invitatory Bead
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Cruciform Beads
Come Lord Jesus, Come

The Weeks
The numbers are to help you move through the seven beads
1. O Emmanuel, come save us
2. O Wisdom, come teach us
3. O Adonai, come rescue us
4. O Root of Jesse, come deliver us
5. O Key of David, come release us
6. O Dayspring, come enlighten us
7. O King of all Nations, come redeem us

Invitatory Bead
The Lord’s Prayer

Cross
Hallelujah! Bless the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Click here for more on the symbolism, use, and several other prayer patterns to use with Anglican Prayer Beads. Click here for even more prayer bead patterns or consider making one of your own like I did. (If you do, post it below!)

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O Aniphons for Prayer Beads © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.