Missio Dei Book of Prayer
Written by Mark Van Steenwyk : January 31, 2007
A new development on the Missio Dei Book of Prayer…
As you may know, I’m creating a “universal” version of the Book of Prayer (for lack of a better term) that isn’t specific to Missio Dei and the Cedar Riverside. InterVarsity Press is currently deliberating on whether or not to publish this version (which I’m calling the New Monastic Breviary). I’ve proposed the breviary in addition to chapters about the appeal of classic monasticism, as well as emerging approaches to new monasticism. An appendix will include various new monastic rules of faith.
The only re-envisioned approach to fixed-hour prayer currently “on the market” for evangelicals is Phyllis Tickle’s the Divine Hours (a multi-volume set that offers morning and evening prayers throughout the calendar year). As worthy as her work is, something more accessible and mobile is needed (in my humble opinion). This is why monastics, especially mendicants, started publishing breviaries—single volume books of prayer that could be carried easily. The New Monastic Breviary grew out of Missio Dei’s desire to incorporate fixed hour prayers into our life in a way that is captivated by the mendicant monastic spirit, but reflects an emerging missional impulse.
My hope is that many communities will take the time to develop breviaries for their own communities. But for those who don’t want to go that route, we offer the New Monastic Breviary. If IVP agrees to the proposal, then you’ll be able to buy it on Amazon.com. Either way, we want to share our prayers with other communities and individuals who’d like to pray along with us.
That is why I’m currently working on creating an RSS feed that will give you the day’s morning and evening prayers (on a 28 day cycle).
It is my hope and prayer that such an offering will help cultivate the discipline of fixed-hour prayer in our generation.
for further reading . . .
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The Missio Dei Breviary includes morning and evening prayers for one month. Edited (and freely shared) by Missio Dei, it draws primarily upon the Gospels, reflects Anabaptist convictions, and emphasizes missional commitment.
Small question: Can the regular prayers included for the fixed hours be easily memorized? Then, would the breviary be a reference for special days/prayers/psalm readings?
Anna,
I don’t think they’d be SUPER easy to memorize. Partly because there is more Scripture readings than just the Psalm reading. The morning prayers would be easier to memorize, since the opening prayer and the Lord’s prayer are standard to the morning prayers. In the evening prayers, however, there is a rotation of seven different Scriptural “songs”–the Magnificat, Simeon’s Song, etc.
This is exciting news. Please keep us updated on developments
Hi Mark, I’ll keep you book in prayer…and will certainly watch for it to be published. But, I would really appreciate a heads-up, if you could let us know. Blessings…Ron+