At the top of the Hour

So often, when people think of Liturgy, free-association leads them to repetition, meaninglessness, disengagement, and similar words with negative connotations. All of these words come into play when one considers the liturgical prayers of the Hours. Yet how do we benefit from praying liturgically?

To begin, I think it needs to be said that the liturgical prayers are the prayers of the Church. When we join in the prayer schedule of the Church, even on our own time and at our own prayer altars, we enter the same mystical realm that knows neither time nor space. For reasons completely outside of my scope of human reason, we enter into Christ Himself even though we are sinful and unworthy.

Another benefit to the Hours is that it establishes a set rhythm. Our bodies like rhythms. Maintenance of steady eating and sleeping schedules compromises an integral part of our physical health. Analogously, prayer schedules maintain our spiritual and emotional health. Consider that some of the Hours match a meal: Matins-Breakfast, Sext-Lunch, and Vespers-Dinner. Many dietitians recommend eating 5 small meals a day for weight loss; again the Hours help us with Third Hour at 0900 and Ninth Hour at 300p. Similarly, the Hours connect to our natural sleep schedule with First Hour upon rising and Compline before retiring to bed. Even for those of us who struggle with a sleep schedule because of night wakefulness can find solace in the Hours with the Midnight Service.

The Hours offer spiritual discipline that lets us interrupt our day. In some ways, the rise of an hour comes inauspiciously as the clock ticks forward. Other hours come in a more anticipated fashion. However, if we practice the prayers of the Hours, we find a great gift to connect with Christ at key times. Consider the American discipline of 600p News. Several people I know watch the news at 500p, 600p and again at 1000p. If we take 3 hours of the day connecting with the world, does it seem unrealistic that we should spend some time connecting with God? Moreover, do we really need these three points of contact, or could we substitute an office like Vespers or Compline? I know I am always tempted to read my newspaper first thing in the morning, but what benefits may be present if I interrupt my own schedule with prayer? On a last spiritual discipline note, the Hours also have practical guidance as a method of tithing one’s time.

This all is not to say that my private prayer rule is unimportant. However, I have found that praying the prayers of the Church while I go through my own dry seasons of knowing what to pray about with God helps me stay connected to my prayer life.

O Christ our God, who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified; who art long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come; O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, hallow our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress. Encompass us with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of thine unapproachable glory, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.