What does the divine office mean?

One does not have to read much in the Bible to realize that the earliest patterns stressed the constancy of prayer. Many of our Christian churches seemed to relegate the "job of prayer" to monastic groups while the Muslims still called for prayer religiously as did many Jewish sects. I have been reading much about the ancient practices and especially the words of Robert Benson. In fact, I am reviewing one of his books now, "In Constant Prayer".

My writings will be drawn from his book for a time and if you would like to commit to a time a prayer, you may blog or invite others to blog into this thinking. I am starting, as recommended, by a morning prayer and an evening prayer and if my computer works, I will post both. Since I have no prayer book, as such, I will search for my own, using family materials.

Part l of every divine office is the Versicle (call to prayer): An established one is "Open Our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise".

Part 2: Venite (Psalm of invitation:

Morning psalm is 95: "Come let us raise a joyful song, a shout of triumph to the rock of our salvation".

Part 3: Collect --Formal prayer (personal)

Surround those who suffer this morning and wrap your arms around them and those who sit with them. Especially remember Rosalie LaPlant, the Noah Gray family, the Pauline Young Family and those who face heartbreak and despair. Show us what we can do to relieve the suffering of those in our midst and away from us.

Part 4: Canticle -- Hymn of Praise

This morning I think of Daddy's favorite verse of a hymn which he quoted often. It is the third verse of "Rescue the Perishing". "Down in the human heart, crushed by the temptor, feelings lie buried that grace can restore. Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that are broken will vibrate once more."

Part 5: Reading of Scripture -- Taken from Daddy's sermons, 'Looking for the Best."

Text: "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31

No one lived this out more than Daddy. He looked for the best in everyone and he found it. I wish that he had taught this lesson more to his children for they needed a bigger dose of forgiveness and overlooking faults of others than they seemed to find along the way. At least, that was true in my case. Daddy said in his sermon that looking for the best is a habit to be practiced and practiced. There are many things wrong with us and the world in which we live but as believers and practitioners we should look for the best in the world around us. Imperfections will always abound.

There are some great things to learn--he says:

l. To see the best will help us.

2. It will help my fellowman --they need help.

3. It will help me keep the laws of God to "Love One Another". Romans 13:8

Part 6: What is my prayer for the day?

Where am I focusing on seeing the worst in someone when I could be searching for the best in that someone or that situation?

Lord, let me see what is the great strength of this family and blind me to the the past mistakes and pettinesses I have been clinging to.