How I did it: I am quite taken with the latest tool I’ve found in my quest for spiritual discipline.  The podcast from divineoffice.org offers wonderful readings of the hours.  I adore their use of music throughout the podcast both incidentally under some of the prayers as well as at the time of the hymn. A bell chimes at the beginning and end calling the soul to prayer.  I was reminded sweetly of praying with monks when on retreat. They pray with feeling and expression as I pray when alone.  The form of prayer in community usually lacks such expression for sake of unity. Indeed the different voices praying together sounded hokey when I first listened, but when I joined them in prayer with my own voice, I joined the community of faith everywhere. It was as if that handful of praying voices was suddenly intimate to me. Then there was the silence. I was not rushed through, there were times of savoring the presence of God in our prayers together – times I do not often enough afford myself when praying alone. Having this podcast readily available on my computer and ipod will remove one more hindrance to praying the hours I find so dulcet.

Lessons & tips: Don't sweat it when you miss an hour, relish the hours you can pray!

Resources: Click
here to subscribe to the divine office podcast

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Dec 06, 2008, 05:59PM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer