What are Anglican prayer beads?
Anglican prayer beads (also called the Anglican rosary) were developed by an Episcopal priest, the Rev. Lynn Bauman, and blend the traditional Eastern Orthodox prayer rope with the Roman Catholic rosary. Unlike the Roman Catholic rosary, they are not associated with Mary, and there are no set prayers; you can use scripture, pre-written prayers, or prayers you write yourself. The idea is to allow the tactile element of the beads to help you keep your focus, moving through your chosen prayers without distraction, calmly, and at a steady pace.
The rosary is made up of a cross, a special “invitatory” bead, four “cruciform” beads, and four sets of seven beads called “weeks.”
Praying with the beads
To begin, while holding the cross, say the prayer of your choice. Then, move on to the invitatory bead (often, the Lord’s prayer), and from there, to the right. With each prayer, hold a new bead between your fingers.
Typically, the same prayer is repeated on each cruciform, followed by the same prayer on each of the beads in the “week,” but there are no hard and fast rules here. Proceed around the circle using your chosen prayers on each of the beads, and complete it however many times you wish. Many choose to complete three circles, to represent the Trinity.
When you are finished, move back to the invitatory bead with a prayer of dismissal or thanksgiving, and end once again on the cross.
Prayers
Provided here are a couple of examples of prayers you may choose to use. There are many other choices available online, and the Psalms are also a great source. Remember, you can always use your own prayers, or even just hold your beads or fiddle with them while you pray extemporaneously. The "right" way to use them is whatever way helps you to stay focused on God and your prayer, rather than yourself and whatever daily distractions there may be. Don't feel limited to what you see here!
Example 1
Cross: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Invitatory: The Lord’s Prayer
Cruciforms: Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Weeks: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Invitatory: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Cross: Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Invitatory: The Lord’s Prayer
Cruciforms: Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Weeks: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Invitatory: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Cross: Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Example 2
Cross: In the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitatory: O God make speed to save me (us), O Lord make haste to help me (us). Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Cruciforms: Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon me (us).
Weeks: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Invitatory: The Lord's Prayer
Cross: I bless the Lord. (Let us bless the Lord.) Thanks be to God.
Invitatory: O God make speed to save me (us), O Lord make haste to help me (us). Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Cruciforms: Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon me (us).
Weeks: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Invitatory: The Lord's Prayer
Cross: I bless the Lord. (Let us bless the Lord.) Thanks be to God.
Resources
Aids to Anglican Worship: The Rosary by Lincoln Anderson
Anglican Prayer Beads from King of Peace Episcopal Church (lots of prayer ideas)
Prayers for Prayer Beads from the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
How to make an Anglican rosary