Celtic Rhythms of Life: Daily prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda

From the Community of Aidan and Hilda, here is a resource to create a daily rhythm of prayer, inspired by historic and contemporary Celtic Christian spirituality and earthed in the activities of everyday living. Celtic Rhythms of Life contains ready-to-use forms of prayer for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and evening prayer have a choice of four psalms and scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have short scripture readings printed in the text. Each day also has its own theme, from resurrection on Sundays to the kingdom on Saturdays.

‘Praying daily alongside Ray Simpson at Berwick Parish Church, I know how devoutly committed Ray is to daily prayer. He and his colleagues in the Community of Aidan and Hilda have produced a rich diet of Celtic prayer to enrich our daily cycle of prayer.’

Bishop Stephen Platten

Transforming Ministry Summer 2024. Review by Betty Taylor

Subtitled ‘Daily Prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hild’, this delightful little book fits into a bag or pocket to be easily accessible on a journey or having lunch in the park. It falls in line with the monastic rhythm of praying at regular intervals of the day but draws on the Celtic tradition. It can be used individually or in a group situation. There are prayers for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and Evening prayer provide a choice of four psalms and readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have shorter scripture readings printed in the text. Each day has its own theme. Those of us wishing to engage in worship with the Celtic saints, though not indifferent to contemporary issues, will find this to be a valuable resource. Thank you to the Community of Aidan and Hilda for providing us with a book of such rich blessings, and for sharing a rhythm of prayer which has become special for you.
Reviewed by Betty Taylor

Review by Richard Frost

There are many different ways to pray. Whether our own extemporary prayers and the personal quiet time or the structured approach of liturgy. We can use books, apps, audio, video, websites to help us. We can pray with words and in silence.

This is a book of daily prayers drawn from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. It provides a rich resource based in the Celtic tradition and the liturgical structure of pausing from the busyness of everyday life to spend time with God.

The psalmist said ‘Seven times a day have I praised you’ (Psalm 119: 164) which is an approach used in many communities. Here in Celtic Rhythms of Life we are encouraged and equipped to pray and praise God four times a day – morning, midday, evening and night.

Each occasion (one might call it an Office) follows a simple structure using suggestions for psalms, prayers, Bible readings and songs. There is a flexibility within the format suggested by the authors and the material can be used in a group or individually.

Each day of the week is based around a theme: resurrection, creation, incarnation, the Holy Spirit, unity and community, the Cross and the Kingdom.

The book’s small size also enables it to be carried in a pocket or kept close at hand.

The authors have drawn from a well of tradition and wisdom, and the resulting water quenches our thirst for a deeper experience of God.

A former mental health and employment specialist, Richard Frost is the author of Life with St Benedict and writes a blog at workrestpray.com. He is also the author of four other books.