How to Pray with Protestant Prayer Beads (Rosary)
Prayer beads are rich with Christian symbolism. In this guide you will learn the meaning of the beads along with instructions on how to pray. First let’s begin with a quick explanation of what these Christian prayer beads are. In the 1980’s a group of Episcopal parishioners were contemplating the use of an ancient practice of praying with beads and they developed the simplified prayer beads. Smaller than the Dominican Catholic rosary, the Protestant rosary is not associated with Marian devotion, rather it is adaptable to the seasons of the Church and for your own personal spiritual journey.
Why Pray With Beads?
The simple act of using Prayer Beads can deepen and transform our devotions into a richer spiritual experience. Praying with beads provides way to slow down our busy lives, becoming more focused in the moment while meditating upon our prayers. A rosary helps us take the time to notice what we are doing, feeling and thinking at the time we are actually doing. God is part of our everyday lives. Paying attention to God and focusing on God’s kingdom is a fundamental practice of Christian mindfulness.
Symbolism of Prayer Beads
You may be wondering how many beads does a Protestant rosary have? Protestant prayer beads are composed of a cross and 33 beads, 5 large and 28 small. Thirty-two of the beads form a circle, with one large bead and the cross outside the circle. The thirty-three beads remind us of the number of years of Jesus’ life on earth before His ascension in heaven.
Starting at the bottom, the Cross “†” is where we begin our prayers by holding it in one hand and welcoming God’s presence.
An Invitation: The large bead directly above the cross is referred to as the invitatory bead and acts as a call to worship the Lord inviting us into the circle of prayer. Some prayer beads include an additional small bead just above the invitatory, this is often referred to as the Resurrection bead and signifies a reminder that Christ lives on.
The Invisible Cross: Inside the circle are four large beads evenly spaced between the twenty-eight smaller beads. These four are termed cruciform beads because they form an invisible cross within the loop.
Seven Days: The small beads divided into groups of seven by the cruciform are called “weeks” because they represent the seven days of the week and also recall the seven days of creation.
Step-by-Step How to Pray with the Beads
- Begin by holding the beads in your hands. Hold the cross in one hand and acknowledge God’s presence while saying your opening prayer
- O God, quickly come to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
- Continuing on, allow your fingers to select the bead above the cross, commonly known as the Invitatory bead, while saying your next prayer.
- All that I am and all that I have, You have given me.
- Allow your hand to advance to the next large bead also known as a Cruciform bead, while meditating on your next prayer.
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
- Moving to the right select the first set of smaller beads while continuing with the next prayers you have chosen.
- Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- Continue with each bead and prayer around the circle of beads switching from the “weeks” to the “cruciforms.” There are 4 larger Cruciform beads an smaller beads between each Cruciform.
- Make sure you are feeling calm and going at a relaxed pace, allowing yourself to develop a comfortable rhythm as you are praying through the beads. As you are coming to a close at the Invitatory bead pray.
- I bless the Lord, Who has heard my prayer. Thanks be to God!
- While holding the cross end your session.
- The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us. Amen.
TRADITIONAL PRAYER
The Cross
O God, quickly come to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
The Invitatory Bead
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
Cruciform Beads (The Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Week Beads
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Dismissal Bead (Invitatory Bead)
I bless the Lord, Who has heard my prayer. Thanks be to God!
The Cross
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us. Amen.
PRAYER FOR SERENITY
The Cross
God, take and receive my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will.
The Invitatory Bead
All that I am and all that I have, You have given me.
Cruciform Beads (The Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Week Beads
God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Dismissal Bead (Invitatory Bead)
Let me accept hardships as the pathway to peace taking this world as it is, not as I would have it.
The Cross
Let me trust that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will. Amen.
PRAYER FOR HEALING
The Cross
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
The Invitatory Bead
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
Cruciform Beads (The Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Week Beads
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health, comfort and relieve Your sick servants and give Your power of healing to those in need, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in Your loving care.
Dismissal Bead (Invitatory Bead)
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord if good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. I praise you, Father, for hearing my prayer.
The Cross
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be present. Amen.