The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer [Paperback]

David Adam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

The rhythm of life on Holy Island where David Adams lives is ordered not only by the tides and the seasons but by the daily ringing of the church bell for prayer. Out of this tradition has risen his series of four daily prayer rituals that strengthen life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer is a much valued addition to any Christian prayer studies collection." -- The Midwest Book Review

"An absolute treasure! Prayers are arranged for four offices each day--morning, midday, evening, night. A main theme for each day is expressed in the appointed Scripture and prayers. This small book is an excellent help to establishing a pattern and practice of daily prayer--a rhythm for life! Black and white Celtic illustrations enhance the beauty of the text." -- Community of the Ascension Newsletter

"David Adam offers four daily offices, for morning, noon, evening and night, with suggestions for use. Building on the themes of resurrection, creation, incarnation, Holy Spirit, community, the Cross, and the saints, Adam shares his ideas and prayers in the Celtic tradition, as he calls the reader to the rhythm of life ordered by the tides, the seasons, and the daily ringing of the church bell for prayer." -- The Pennsylvania Episcopalian

"The rhythms of life are intertwined with the rhythms of prayer in this lovely collection of prayers for each day of the week." -- Religious Resources International

"This unique book should make us all more aware of the rhythms in our own prayer lives and lead us to a deeper appreciation of the joys of the liturgical year and what we celebrate in worship." -- Modern Liturgy

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819217158
• ISBN-13: 978-0819217158
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another variation on liturgy of the hours - for groups, July 18, 2000

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer (Paperback)

This book is another of the excellent books that provides a Liturgy of the Hours that is more accessible to laity than the official texts - one need not spend time flipping pages. The prayers cover morning, midday, evening and night prayer and are based on traditional themes, psalms, scripture and prayers. The prayers are Celtic prayers - in contrast to the Latin prayer formats of the official text. What sets this volume apart is the use of litanies - in lieu of hymns and canticles. The result is a very effective communal prayer book - which encourages truly participation. However, the use of litanies makes its use as a solitary prayer less powerful. For those with a specific love of Celtic prayers or for small groups wanting a gentle way into morning/evening prayer this is an excellent volume.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celtic Outlook Brought to Book of Daily Prayers, May 11, 2000

By 

Ann C. Case (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer (Paperback)

This little, easy to use prayer book has the fresh turn of phrase and love of the natural world we have come to expect from Celtic spirituality. Easy rubics lead a group or an individual through the prayers and readings selected for each day. I used David Adam's Rhythm of Life at a Celtic Day of Prayer group experience and found it a powerful part of an introduction to the Celtic way of spirituality.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Intro to structured prayer, January 21, 2002

By 

M. Heppe (Shenandoah, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer (Paperback)

I've been handing this book out like popcorn to people who are new to the discipline of the daily office--junior high kids in confirmation class, vaguely spiritual but unchurched boomers, old-fashioned evangelicals, just for example-- and everyone is loving it. It's not fussy or complicated--four offices are presented for each day of the week. The prayers are a nice blend of old and new (users learn that there's a treasure trove out there, but that they can compose their own prayers as well). There's an unchanging core, but appendices note that there can be seasonal changes--another hint of worlds to be explored. The best of its kind.