Prayer is essential to the Christian life, bonding us to God. Yet we find it difficult in our frenetic world to keep our minds focused for long. All kinds of external noise and inner voices clamor for our attention. How can we slow down and quiet down so as to truly wait on the Lord? Nan Lewis Doerr and Virginia Stem Owens offer a solution that calls on the physical senses to break through to the spiritual -- praying with beads. The use of prayer beads, which has a long history in practical spirituality, is now becoming more widespread among Protestants. Doerr and Owens here show readers how to use what have become known as Anglican or Christian prayer beads. Readers can then use the basic prayer structure provided by the beads to pray their way through each day -- morning, noon, and night -- and through the church year. These prayers -- a thoughtfully chosen combination of quotations from Scripture and gleanings from the Book of Common Prayer -- can be enhanced and enriched by the mindful and meditative practice of using beads. Doerr and Owens encourage readers to use beads as "something to hang onto, a lifeline to the Presence that lies, often hidden or forgotten, at the center of our lives." Praying with beads, as outlined and embodied in this little book, has the potential to transform one's prayer life.

A BEAD AND A PRAYER introduces Protestants to prayer as a way to connect with God. Readers will explore the history and art of using beads in prayer, discover ways to pray with beads, and learn how beads can help them deepen their faith, understand Christian beliefs, and listen to God. Instructions for making prayer beads are included. Great for Christians with no experience in using beads for prayer, Sunday school classes, womens groups, prayer groups. Youth and children will also enjoy making prayer beads, led by someone using this book as a guide.

In stories and pictures, this book shows how people of all faith traditions use prayer beads as a spiritual tool and a means of expressing their creativity. Every major world religion has a tradition of praying with beads and all are explored here, including the history and use of beads and specific prayers. Describes in detail and with diagrams how to make sets of prayer beads for personal use.

The Christian rosary is a devotion in which a set of beads is used to keep tally of the prescribed prayers while pondering with Mary, the Mother of the Lord, on the significant events in the life of her son, Jesus Christ. The most popular of all Catholic devotions rosaries are also well known in other religious traditions beginning in ancient times. A detailed and readable study of the Rosary in its various forms has long been needed. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is at an all time high, judging by the popularity of parish Rosary groups, pilgrimages to Marian shrines and the many alleged apparitions of Our Lady around the world. Dr. Miller's book will fill a real need for the many who wish to take their devotion and their prayer life to new depths, to understand the perennial importance of Christian meditation, and to understand more fully the tradition to which they belong.

Religions from around the world--Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Islam, and many more, including the Pagan earth religions--use prayer beads as useful guides to remembering prayers and principles. Pagan Prayer Beads by John Michael Greer and Clare Vaughn is a unique and practical introduction to the design, creation, and use of Pagan rosaries, teaching the reader to design and make personal prayer beads for use in myriad spiritual practices. Co-written by a beading expert (Clare Vaughn) and one of the leading lights in modern Paganism (John Michael Greer), this book will garner an eager audience--from beginners to elders--looking for new inspiration in their personal spiritual practice. Beautifully written, instructive, and straightforward, Pagan Prayer Beads is user-friendly and easy to understand. Lovely black-and-white photographs accompany the text to further illustrate the art and craft of Pagan prayer beads. The how-to sections were "tested" by novices to both crafting and "the craft," who found the directions clear and easy to follow. Throughout the book, Greer and Vaughn have included fascinating history and lore as well as crystal properties, Pagan symbology, and deeply meaningful prayers and rituals to use with the rosaries. * 30 lovely black-and-white photos accompany the beading instructions.

If you thought Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Lady Godiva had nothing in common, think again. Whether you are a Rosary rookie or daily devotee, Linking Your Beads: The Rosary's History, Mysteries, and Prayers will give you a whole new perspective on the power of prayer with the Rosary! As you learn the depth of faith behind this simple string of beads, prayers, and meditations, you'll find yourself equally enlightened and encouraged by journalist, author, and storyteller Patricia Kasten. This unique Rosary book will keep you engaged, amazed, and turning pages as you learn about: The history of the Rosary and its prayerful predecessors The power of meditative prayer in various forms The significant role of sacramentals in our walk of faith The origins of each of the Rosary prayers and the Creed The meaning and purpose of the Rosary's many colors, styles, and lengths And so much more... Above all, your Rosary devotions will leap to a higher level as you grow in faith and understanding of this powerful prayer.

A creative way to pray – across faith traditions – made new for all who seek a more intimate experience with God. Lushly illustrated. Divided into three parts, the first part of Bead by Bead takes a historical look at prayer beads across centuries and cultures. Part Two showcases opportunities for heart/mind/body ways to “pray the beads without the beads,” including activities that are whimsical, ordinary, and spirited, to inspire readers to create their own. The book concludes with an invitation to contemplate one’s own life as a rosary. Readers are encouraged to draw their own set of prayer beads and, with discernment and prayer, label each bead. They then can keep and literally hold their life in their hands in prayer, gratitude, and awe.