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Praying with Christian Prayer Beads
Christian Prayer Beads, or the Christian Rosary as it is sometimes known, was created as a tool for prayer in the 1980s by an Anglican Priest. It is a prayer form which is a blending of the Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope and encourages a wider range of prayers.The prayer beads are made from 33 beads or knots, plus a cross or crucifix. The number 33 is a reminder of the number of years Jesus lived among us. The cross is a reminder of our identity as Christians, and of Jesus’ call to take up our own crosses and follow him.
The bead above the cross is the Invitatory. It is an invitation to trust God and to offer our Him our prayers. When the rosary is laid out in a circle, the four larger beads represent the points of the cross. They are the Cruciform beads.
The four sets of seven beads are called Weeks. They symbolise our offering of our time and lives. The number 7 is traditionally associated with completion and perfection in Hebrew and Christian tradition.
How to prayer with prayer beads
Begin on the Cross with a brief invocation— e.g. ”In the Name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” You may wish also to make the sign of the cross.
On the Invitatory you offer a prayer that summarizes your intention. Many find the Lord's Prayer to be helpful here.
The Cruciform knots/beads serve as places of rest and remembering your intention, and should emphasize the purpose of your prayer.
The Weeks are the yearning of your heart toward God. The Weeks prayer should be concise.
It is usual to pray three times around the circle of prayer, and then to return to the Invitatory. A repetition of the prayer you used on the Invitatory at the beginning is appropriate, or some expression of thanksgiving.
End on the Cross with an offering of praise and thanksgiving.
There is a video below with someone demonstrating the Jesus prayer.
Sample prayers
The following prayers are made up of traditional prayers and Bible verses. Depending on how you are led you can pray which one seems most appropriate. I have customised these to suit my preferences, but you can change them as you see fit. The examples are just to get you started.
The Jesus Prayer
On the Cross
Blessed be God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Invitatory knot/bead
“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.” – Matthew 6:7-13
The Cruciform knots/beads
Shepherd me, o Christ, through fears and hopes, through doubts and faith, through death info life.
The Weeks
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. have mercy on me, a sinner.
The Invitatory knot/bead (Last time around)
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
The Cross
Blessing and honour and glory and power be Yours, now and forever. Amen
The Come Lord Jesus prayer
The Cross
“Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”—Revelation 7:12
The Invitatory
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”—Psalm 46:1
The Cruciforms
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s Holy Name.”—Psalm 103:1
The Weeks
“Come Lord Jesus, draw us to yourself.”—John 12:32
End Invitatory
“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.” – Matthew 6:7-13
End Cross
I will bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
A prayer for wisdom and direction
The Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
The Invitatory bead
[9] Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. - Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
The Cruciform beads
[4] Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. [5] Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. - Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
The Weeks beads
[6] For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6 NLT
Invitatory bead last time
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, a world without end. Amen.
Cross to end
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
A prayer for healing
The Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
The Invitatory bead
[1] Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. [3] He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. [4] He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. [5] He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! - Psalm 103:1-5 NLT
The Cruciform beads
[30] Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” - Acts 4:30 NLT
The Weeks beads
[2] Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. - Psalm 6:2 NLT
Invitatory bead last time
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, a world without end. Amen.
Cross at the end
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
More Resources
Below are several videos on YouTube that I have personally found helpful.
Video - How to make prayer beads
Video - How to pray with prayer beads
Video - The Jesus prayer example
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