How to use the Living Prayer Periodical

METHODS & ELEMENTS

Each day of the LPP features morning and evening prayer liturgies framed by seven core elements. Everyone’s style of praying is different because every person is different. Beyond that, Christian prayer varies widely across cultures and denominations. No single method can capture this. However, we hope you find within the LPP a rhythm that gives enough structure and freedom to facilitate a diverse community of prayer. Every element is offered as a guiding movement, not as a binding rule. You are encouraged to modify the liturgy based on the context of prayer. Consider establishing rhythms of prayer in your congregation, household, workplace, small groups, or other gatherings so that you might experience the formative reality of common prayer. If doing this liturgy individually, you are encouraged to take your time to soak it in. If doing it as a group, it may be best to alternate leading each element. Also, consider using different postu res in prayer (standing, kneeling, lifted or open hands, lying prostrate, etc.) that fit your context.

Call

There is an invitation always open to us. The Spirit of God calls us to come into the holy presence, and we respond to this welcome by entering in.
Psalm

The Psalms form the core language of prayer for the people of God and have done so for thousands of years. The Psalms give us language and postures of heart and body to express in the presence of God.
Adoration

We were created to adore God, and in the place of worship we find the joy of this purpose. This adoration happens in both silence and song. We provide three to four songs per edition in the Songbook found at the back of the periodical. Full recordings and resources for these songs and others can be found at dailyprayerproject.
Lesson

The scriptures give us the story of the Father’s redemption of all things in the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer

We are led across praise, confession, and guided intercessory prayer by our family of faith all over the globe and throughout time. We receive every prayer as a gift as we put them on our own lips and in our own hearts. These prayers range from traditional prayers of the universal church to more modern and meditative prayers.
Abiding

In response to what we have encountered in the first five elements, Abiding is an opportunity for deeper communion and self-reflection through meditating on the scriptures (lectio divina), considering the art in the gallery (visio divina), or using our bodies to engage historical Christian practices (praxio divina). Out of that place, we are also prompted to pray for the needs of others in different stations of life.
Benediction

We close our time with a word of love and blessing over our lives from God himself, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Our journey of prayer is framed by the Call and the Benediction; God has the first and the last word over all things in our lives.