Only five weeks left until I start my pilgrimage to walk the Camino de Santiago. In preparation, this week, I’m practicing an ancient tradition of praying with prayer beads. The subject of my praying this week is each of the twenty-two Pilgrims, by name, who will be on the walk with me, as well as the twelve pilgrims who will be traveling in a second group and seeing grant sites in the same areas of Spain. I’m also praying for Bishop Lozano (the Bishop of Spain) and Canon Spencer Reese, (the Canon to the Ordinary to Bishop Lozano) who will be joining us for portions of the trip.
I’ve gotten a number of Anglican prayer beads from Unspoken Elements, a company in Winter Springs, FL. I like their explanation of the history of the prayer beads as well as how many different ways they can be used for prayer with their 33 beads. Some people may repeat the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner), or others may use different prayers. This week I pray for 34 pilgrims (including me!) that each of our journeys is unique and that we are open to God’s work in our lives.
Here is information from the Resource Guide from Unspoken Elements:
Why Pray with Beads?
The simple act of using Anglican Prayer Beads can deepen and transform our devotions into a richer spiritual experience. Praying with beads provides a tactile way to slow down our busy lives, becoming more focused in the moment while meditating upon our prayers.
A rosary helps us take the time to notice what we are doing, feeling and thinking at the time we are actually doing, feeling, and thinking it by slowing down these processes bead by bead, or one prayer at a time. God is part of our everyday lives; paying attention to God and focusing on God’s kingdom is a fundamental practice of Christian mindfulness.
May you be blessed by the prayers of others and may your prayers in turn bless those that you name outloud.
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha