Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community

First of all, though the Celtic Saints are celebrated in this book, there are others that have little or nothing to do with the Celts, like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This book actually developed from a local religious community on the northeast coast of England, near the Scottish border and it was this community that tried to devise a way that people could pray at regular intervals without upsetting their normal everyday lives. There is lots of devotional reading, and the devotions range a lot in theology.I cannot use this book as a substitute for the actual Daily Offices, however. It does provide great material that I can use for my morning and evening prayers and there is a cycle of seven different Compline prayers, one for each day of the week. There is no Apostles Creed (aka the baptismal vow) or the Lord's Prayer (aka the Our Father) so I do not use this to replace the Daily Offices, but I do use the meditations and selected readings from time to time while doing the Office.A problem with this book has occurred just now. The pages are falling out. Strange, because for a prayer book (where a reader has to constantly flip back and forth pages at a time) I would think that the binding would last much longer than this. Because of the constant flipping, I had to use ribbons to keep my place. I've used these homemade ribbons before and nothing like this has ever happened to my Bibles or Prayer Books before, especially in under a year of use.... In this case, just a few months. Pity....It has excellent material. If it was just that I would have given it 5 stars, but the title was a little misleading (it is mainly Celtic, but not exactly, so I felt a little "ripped off"), that would have given it 4 stars. Now with the binding issue, it is down to a 3 star, though I was tempted to give it 2, but there is great material in here.... I just have to be more careful not to loose anymore pages.UPDATE:After an exchange of this book, I now have a hard copy that has much stronger binding. The pages are still glued together instead of being stitched on, but my guess is they probably used more glue? At any rate, because I am no longer using pages after getting this exchanged, I am now promoting the book to 4 STARS instead of the 3 that I originally assigned it. It still has great material, but it isn't exactly a "Celtic Prayer Book" per-se and it really could use some ribbons.

I've had this book for about five years and it's still a treasure that keeps yielding its jewels whenever I go to it. Poems, psalms, scriptures, meditations, with all that variety and so much spiritual depth, I never tire of it. One reason is the richness of sources all the material comes from -- yes, the Bible and spiritual leaders. But also great writers, preachers and mystics from the ages, all the way from Homer to Peter Marshall. Much practical thoughts from ones like Bill Hybels and Thomas Merton, Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and those for whom labels cannot be attached.All this has been gathered for us by the Northumbria Community for our devotions and prayers, morning, noon and evening. They are arrnaged in cycles for private and community use each day. A full two years of devotions convey the rhythms of the inner and outer life. Then there are precious graces for for the celebrations of birth, rebirth, marriage, growing older, and bereavement.These devotions span centuries and give me the sense of the circle of physical and spiritual life. Sometimes I might forget about this book for a short while, but when I go back to it, it is a whole new life and a bright treasure chest all over again!.

I first stumbled across this book in the local Barnes & Noble, where I sat and perused it, becoming more and more drawn to the liturgies and readings. When I arrived home, I immediately logged on to Amazon.com and put it on my Wish List. One of my friends gave it to me the following Christmas.The section of the book I use most often is the Daily Office, which can also be found online at the Northumbria Community's web site. The services are short and and designed to be said in community. I introduced my Education for Ministry (EFM) group to the Complines, and they have become a regular part of our worship together.I also use the "Follow the Example" section of the book when planning liturgies for small groups and retreats. Here you will find a list of Saints and Holy Days with brief biographies and references to the other sections of the book for suggested scripture readings. The Saints range from the ancient and traditional, primarily Celtic, to 20th century figures such as Diterich Bonhoffer, Oscar Romero and Thomas Merton. Nine longer liturgies and reflections based on the lives of specific Saints like Brigid, Brendan and Hild.The book also contains a series of 31 Daily meditations, a Holy Communion service, a Family Shabbat, Rites of Passage, brief seasonal liturgies, and two series of Daily readings for the year.A definite must for those interested in Celtic Christianity and Spirituality.

Sorry it has taken so long to write a review, but I have been living this book, you see! Others have eloquently reviewed and summarized the contents, but you really ought to read and taste the silken words yourself. Oh, yes, and read them aloud as they are so often spoken in community. I learned a Celtic word from this book which pictures how I feel when I open its pages. The word is "Saranam", and it means "Refuge". I can enter my "prayer closet", apart from the crowd, and speak words that have come through lonely islands of mankind on windswept seacoasts. Or sometimes, on the phone with a sobbing friend - together we have said prayers to bless a sick child or comfort the dying ones. There, in the sacred company of a long line of silent believers, we two become more and find the Christ in our midst. I would dearly love to go to Lindisfarne, to Iona, to the Nether Springs...but for now I am content to keep the Hours, celebrate the Saints and their days, and enjoy the fellowship of like travelers who came for a momentary 'Poustinia' or Retreat. Come thee, likewise!

I already had the paperback edition. If you are going to use this daily then I strongly suggest you get the hardback version. Opens fully at each page, unlike the paperback. To get that on the paperback you risk breaking the glue.I fitted mine with a couple of ribbon markers so that the daily place is easy to find.If you are only going to dip into it occasionally then the paperback will be adequate. There are many useful guides to daily prayer and if you like the Celtic approach then this is recommended.Two years worth of readings and thoughts as well as various prayers. I got it for the daily offices of morning, midday, evening prayer and compline.

This volume came to my attention, as a result of my sister's passing.There are some beautiful reflective writings, and could be helpful for those grieving.Quiet and solitude is sometimes one of the best healers, along with positive reflection.

A very useful book,with two years of bible readings,prayers for different occasions,information about celtic saints and readings and meditations for each day of the month. There are also short services which can be used alone or with a group. The cover is very attractive and this book would make an ideal gift.

Much easier to use than the paperback as it lies flat. Inspirational and practical. If you like Celtic worship you'll find this invaluable.