Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals is a multi-faceted book of study and prayer. It can be used both individually and corporately for prayer, worship and study. Compiled by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Enuma Okoro; the book incorporates the liturgies, prayers and traditions of Christians across many centuries and denominations. The book is divided into six main parts: Introduction, Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer, Mid-day Prayer, Occasional Prayers and Songbook. Published by Zondervan in 2010; this book will remain a rich resource for years to come.
In the introduction, the authors discuss how and why this book was created. It talks about God’s desire for Christians to be united as one body and for them to pray as a community not just individually. Further, the introduction provides instructions and ideas for how to use the book. The authors also acknowledge the various people who were involved in the creation of Common Prayer.
The first section, evening prayer is comprised of a prayer for each night of the week. Both individuals and groups can use these prayers. Throughout the book, the liturgies are divided into bold and regular print indicating the sections for a leader to read and for the community to respond.
The Morning Prayer section of the book is the expansive. Separated into months; then each individual day has its own liturgy. Within the liturgy, there are psalms and prayers written along with suggested songs and scripture readings. At the beginning of each month; there is a theme, which is discussed, and books are suggested for further study. Each of the themes is one of the twelve marks of the New Monasticism: Locating our lives in the abandoned places of the empire, Shared economics, Reconciliation, Celebrating Singleness and Marriage, Submission to Christ’s Body: the Church, Hospitality, Care for Creation, Geographical Proximity, Peacemaking, Contemplative Prayer, Formation in the Way of Christ, and Nurturing a Common Life. Many days begin with a discussion of a particular person or event that day that has influenced the life of the Church. Each month ends with a few practical ideas of how to be community. Incorporated throughout the book are sidebars; a list of these is at the beginning; that contains on various subjects regarding liturgy, spiritual disciplines and seasons within the church calendar. Since Holy Week and Easter move each year, they have their own section of liturgy for Morning Prayer.
The midday prayer section simply contains a short liturgy for the middle of the day. The next section, occasional prayers, contains prayers for different kinds of circumstances and celebrations including house blessings, commissioning and adoption. Then the last section, the songbook, contains a variety of traditional hymns and songs sung by the Church.
Common Prayer is accessible to all as it is available in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book formats. A phone app is also available. I would also recommend the pocket edition, which is a paperback condensed version for individual use that is easy to carry anywhere. The pocket edition also contains some additional prayers for individual circumstances. To learn more about Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals; visit their website at commonprayer.net
Make this excellent book apart of your devotional life; it will greatly enrich your life. I recently used the Litany to Honor Women found on page 562 at a women's retreat. A number of women commented on how meaningful it was. It is one of my liturgical resources to use.
In the introduction, the authors discuss how and why this book was created. It talks about God’s desire for Christians to be united as one body and for them to pray as a community not just individually. Further, the introduction provides instructions and ideas for how to use the book. The authors also acknowledge the various people who were involved in the creation of Common Prayer.
The first section, evening prayer is comprised of a prayer for each night of the week. Both individuals and groups can use these prayers. Throughout the book, the liturgies are divided into bold and regular print indicating the sections for a leader to read and for the community to respond.
The Morning Prayer section of the book is the expansive. Separated into months; then each individual day has its own liturgy. Within the liturgy, there are psalms and prayers written along with suggested songs and scripture readings. At the beginning of each month; there is a theme, which is discussed, and books are suggested for further study. Each of the themes is one of the twelve marks of the New Monasticism: Locating our lives in the abandoned places of the empire, Shared economics, Reconciliation, Celebrating Singleness and Marriage, Submission to Christ’s Body: the Church, Hospitality, Care for Creation, Geographical Proximity, Peacemaking, Contemplative Prayer, Formation in the Way of Christ, and Nurturing a Common Life. Many days begin with a discussion of a particular person or event that day that has influenced the life of the Church. Each month ends with a few practical ideas of how to be community. Incorporated throughout the book are sidebars; a list of these is at the beginning; that contains on various subjects regarding liturgy, spiritual disciplines and seasons within the church calendar. Since Holy Week and Easter move each year, they have their own section of liturgy for Morning Prayer.
The midday prayer section simply contains a short liturgy for the middle of the day. The next section, occasional prayers, contains prayers for different kinds of circumstances and celebrations including house blessings, commissioning and adoption. Then the last section, the songbook, contains a variety of traditional hymns and songs sung by the Church.
Common Prayer is accessible to all as it is available in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book formats. A phone app is also available. I would also recommend the pocket edition, which is a paperback condensed version for individual use that is easy to carry anywhere. The pocket edition also contains some additional prayers for individual circumstances. To learn more about Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals; visit their website at commonprayer.net
Make this excellent book apart of your devotional life; it will greatly enrich your life. I recently used the Litany to Honor Women found on page 562 at a women's retreat. A number of women commented on how meaningful it was. It is one of my liturgical resources to use.
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