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Page 1 of 2 "THERE are two books in the English language which stand out pre-eminent above all others, which are better known and greater even than the works of our greatest poets. They are the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer." -- Percy Dearmer, D.D. (Everyman's History of the Prayer Book, Morehouse Publishing Co., 1931)
In 1986 I "discovered" the Anglican Church. With this discovery also came a profound and ongoing interest in all things Anglican, the Book of Common Prayer being of utmost importance. Since that time, with some adjustments, I have consistently said the Daily Office. Almost without exception it has been an invaluable and irreplaceable source of insight and inspiration. It has fed me and furthered my life in Christ. I am convinced that the Prayer Book can offer tremendous opportunities to grow for anyone who consistently and reverently uses it.
However, in spite of my deep commitment to this classic example of Anglican devotion, there have been times when I have had to fight boredom, lethargy, sloth and inattention. Some of our Evangelical Protestant friends, those who are inadequately informed, might suggest that these things are a result of allowing myself to be deceived by established forms of set prayers and "vain repetition." While all of us (even those who do not use liturgical forms of prayer) must guard against such deceptions, this accusation fails to understand or appreciate Church history, the theology behind Prayer Book spirituality, or the nature of prayer.
Nevertheless, even for those of us who are better informed, there are times when we must fight distractions. All of us can be lulled into spiritless, mindless, heartless prayer. What follows are six ways by which we can keep our Daily Office from becoming a "daily grind."
Waiting on God. Before we pray we should wait. Quite possibly, waiting accomplishes our most effective praying. Andrew Murray emphasizes this at length in his Waiting on God (Bethany House Publishers). Although the Book of Common Prayer provides a time tested, biblically orthodox and invaluable process of prayer, we must always wait to hear what God, by the Holy Spirit, is seeking to communicate. Hearing must precede speaking.
The Whole Armor of God. Prayer Book Christians must never forget that prayer is warfare. As such, we must always be watchful. We must always be on guard. Casual prayer is compromised prayer. As such, as one of our earliest actions, we should consider clothing ourselves with the whole armor of God: helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, loins covered with truth, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith. These prepare us for prayer.
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