Customer Reviews

The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer

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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.

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.

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.

David Adam weaves his own adaptations of classic liturgical structures with Scripture perfect for times of reflection. Each day focuses on a specific theme which is repeated in the four different prayer times: morning, midday, evening, and night. The liturgies balance worship with petition and centering prayer. I highly recommend this helpful prayer book.

For anyone with Celtic roots, especially those who are Christian, or who resonate with Celtic spirituality, this book will provide the tools to immerse oneself in ageless prayers and timeless religious practice. The book can be used as a kind of devotional with prayers and readings for everyday. There are two complete sets of readings that can be used for morning and evening devotional time. The first part of the book contains outlines for prayer time in the morning, during the middle of the day and in the evening.

David Adam brings a holy hush to my day. I am able to set aside the worries and concerns of my world and enter into a peaceful existence. There is a holiness in these prayers that calms the soul and brings your heart back to God. Highly recommended, as are all his books.

Looking for a simple weekly prayer guide based on the Celtic Way? This is it. The author does a nice job giving each day a particular theme as morning midday and evening prayers are offered in the Celtic tradition. Soul-nourishing stuff!

I have been using this beautiful little book in my daily prayers for several years and it never grows old. With morning, midday and evening prayers, it allows the reader to centre on God at meaningful intervals. I find it particularly helpful in helping to express my heart when I cannot find the words myself.

This is a wonderful compilation of prayers by day of the week. Each day has a theme (Monday- Creation, Thursday- Community, Friday- the Cross, Sunday- Saints, etc). Each day has a morning, midday, evening, and night section. The prayers include scripture readings, psalms, traditional readings, the Lords Prayer, etc. I find these prayers so helpful and beautiful, and the sections are short enough to pray together each day before meals, at bedtime, or upon awaking.

I have been using The Rhythm of Life by David Adam as my daily prayer guide fairly consistently for nearly a decade, and I would recommend it very highly to anyone who desires to deepen their relationship with God through daily prayers.

Structurally, The Rhythm of Life follows a weekly cycle, from Sunday to Saturday, and is arranged theologically in seven themes -- Resurrection, Creation, Incarnation, Holy Spirit, Community, the Cross, and the Saints. I find this weekly theology cycle enriching and stretching. The diversity and wholeness of the theological themes expand my narrow imagination in prayer, which tends to be focused on my immediate needs and concerns. They gently remind me of the greatness of God's kingdom and the extent of His concern.

For each day, there are four offices -- Morning, Midday, Evening, and Night. Those who have time only for one office a day can choose any one of the four as these prayers are not confined to a specific time of the day.

Each office follows the same pattern -- Affirmation, Silence, Response, Psalms, Scripture, Canticle, Kyrie, the Lord's Prayer, Intercession, Collect, and Affirmation. During the Kyrie, there are opportunities to bring before God those who are dear to us and those we are concerned about.

The prayers are short, meditative, and repetitive. When they are said aloud, they have almost a chant-like quality. I appreciate this aural simplicity. It allows me to hear the resonance of each word within my soul.

For me, one of the greatest strengths of this book is that most of the prayers are based on the language of Scripture, the Psalms being the main source, but also derived from various parts of the Old and the New Testament.

The physical size of the book is just about perfect; it's small and light, easy to be carried around. I also like the fact that the fonts are of decent size and the text is well spaced.

If I were to recommend a single prayer book to friends, it would be this one. Even after having lived with it for nearly a decade, the prayers feel fresh and continue to be meaningful.