No doubt Jesus embraced the two disciplines of every faithful Jew: recite the Shema twice a day and to observe the three hours of prayer–morning, afternoon, and sundown.

“Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD”–was (and is) a confession of faith (Deut. 6:4). At  each of the hours of prayer a hymn, the Tephilla, was chanted.

It consisted of a number of benedictions . . . the letters in the New Testament contain several of the early hymns and confessional statements that were used in the vibrant worship of the pristine Christian community.

Sometimes it is hard to find the words to tell God what is in our soul. The enterprise we are undertaking is far larger than we are. The Psalms have always been both hymnbook and prayerbook for the Church. Not all Psalms are hymns or prayers, but the designation is still justified, for they all serve to glorify God. [excerpted from Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home (Richard J. Foster).

Create a New Rule of Life

1.  Download a Bible App (e.g. ESV from Crossway https://appsto.re/us/zAjKv.i

There are many good ones, but this app allows you to read or listen. Available free for phone, tablet or computer via iTunes Store. Look for this icon.

2. Set four, gentle repeating alerts spread across your waking hours (I like “Windchimes” for iPhone or download samples from Sound Snap).

My days vary so I set my reminders for waking,  late morning, late afternoon and bedtime. Experiment with what works best for you. The goal is a flow, a pattern, a tempo to pause and reflect before God, “How is it with my soul?”

3. Read the Psalm listed on the chart below. What does it say about God? Tell him what is needed at this hour. Expect the Holy Spirit’s creative work.

Our God is all-present, all-seeing, all-knowing so you can keep this rhythm at home, at work, at school, while exercising . . . or in a prayer garden if you have that luxury!

Click here to view “7 Weeks Praying the Psalms“or (Click on pop up link to download and print calendar pdf) You can snap a picture of the chart for your phone, or jot down the Psalms for the day.

                                              

4. Every day of practice will help you increasingly remain present in your day and conscious of God’s presence in it. Every  seven weeks you will have prayed through the entire Psalter (150 Songs)!

“Stopping for God at repeated intervals during each day . . . provides the rhythm to enable me to commune with him all through the day.” Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality