From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3 NRSV)
Chapter 2 introduces us to the practice of praying the Hours. It is, says Christine Valters Paintner, “a way of honoring the day’s unfolding by returning continuously to prayer” (pg 16). The ancient monks would pause seven times a day to intentionally connect with God, the source and foundation of their lives. In modern times, the practice has become to pause four times a day – dawn, midday, dusk, and dark. Paintner expands on why these times on page 17.
The invitation is to pause four times a day to recall that you are a child of God and that God is in the midst of it all. You might find that in the morning you will come across a phrase from scripture or a piece of poetry that calls to you and that you can return to at each of your four pausings. Paintner suggests recalling the breath prayer you created in chapter 1 and incorporating it into your four pauses throughout the day. On pages 23-27, the author offers suggestions for engaging each of the four pauses, including facing a certain direction from the Celtic tradition.
For reflection:
As you engage the practice of praying the Hours, reflect on what gift(s) you receive from each daily pause: dawn, day, dusk, and dark?
What would happen if you occasionally allowed yourself a slow awakening in the morning, following the natural rhythms of your body’s needs? How would this change your day?
Have you ever lived near or visited a tidal zone (see pgs 18-19)? What do the tides have to teach us?
The Wisdom Years 