I must admit when I first came across the phrase Laud Prayer, I had two assumptions. My first assumption was that maybe this was a strange spelling of The Lord’s Prayer. That seemed a little far-fetched, so I opted for assuming it was a prayer written by Archbishop Laud. Both assumptions were wrong.
Laud is Latin for “to praise”. To laud someone is to glorify them and sing their praises—even if you aren’t singing. Upon further research, I learned that Lauds Prayer is connected to the Liturgy of Hours and is particularly a reference to the morning prayers. You will find these predominately in a Roman Catholic setting, but perhaps this is something that Protestants (like myself) might also find of benefit. But first, we need to know more about Lauds Prayer.
What Is The Liturgy of the Hours?
To learn about the Laud Prayer it is vital to first understand the Liturgy of Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is also known as the Divine Office or the Breviary. If you’re a Protestant, like me, that likely didn’t tell you much. To put it simply, it is a set of daily prayers that the Catholic Church prescribes to help Christians sanctify the different hours of the day.
The practice itself is rooted in ancient Jewish prayer traditions and has been practiced by Christians from the early days of the Church. It is composed mostly of the Psalms, Scripture readings, select hymns and prayers that correspond to specific times of the day. Its purpose is to help the disciple develop a rhythm of prayer throughout the day and remain connected to God throughout the day.
The day is divided into specific “hours.” The most prominent are Lauds (Morning), Vespers (Evening), and Compline (Night). Each hour is designed to reflect the time of day and the corresponding theme of creation, light, darkness, and the passage of time. While any communicant might practice these rhythms, you will certainly find this practice as a central component of monastic life. More recently, though, the Second Vatican Council made significant revisions to make the Liturgy more accessible to all Catholics, not just clergy and religious orders.
Lauds, then, is a specific section of prayers within the Liturgy of the Hours.
What Is the Lauds Prayer?
Lauds is the name given to the morning prayer within this liturgy. The word “Lauds” comes from the Latin word for “praise,” so this prayer time is particularly focused on offering praise and thanksgiving to God. What better way to start the day than to have a posture of praise and thanksgiving? Lauds will typically include the reciting of a Psalm, the reading from Scripture, a hymn, and a specific prayer of praise.
The structure is designed to help the believer begin their day in the right way—to sanctify the day as the heart is turned toward God in prayer and worship. To use lingo more familiar to Protestants, this is similar to what you’ve likely heard when a “quiet time” was being promoted. The core of Lauds are often Psalms with themes of morning light, creation, and the newness of life. The reading of Scripture will differ depending on the liturgical season. The morning prayer time will conclude with the hymn of praise (the Benedictus) found in Luke 1:68-79.
What Is the History of Lauds Prayer?
The history of Lauds, as part of the Liturgy of the Hours, dates back to the early Christian Church. It also has roots in Jewish practice. In Psalm 119:164 we read “seven times a day I praise you”. And in Acts 3 and 10 we see a reference to “the hour of prayer”. It seems that they carried over this practice of set times, connected to the rhythm of the day, to engage God in prayer.
The development of the Liturgy of the Hours, though, became more formalized during the rise of monastic orders in the early Middle Ages. Monks and nuns would gather at specific times throughout the day and night to pray the Psalms, sing hymns, and read Scripture. Lauds, being one of the major "hours," was typically prayed at dawn. The beginning at dawn symbolizes the resurrection of Christ and the beginning of a new day. Over time, the practice spread outside the monastic community and into the Church at large.
The structure of Lauds has remained relatively consistent throughout the years but would undergo a significant revision after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. These revisions were aimed at making it more accessible to all believers. One of the more significant changes was the allowance to pray in the vernacular rather than exclusively in Latin. It also offered Shorter Christian Prayer for those with busy schedules. Likewise, the Council reduced the number of obligatory “hours” and adjusted the timing so that those with diverse lifestyles and schedules could still participate.
Is There a Set Thing to Pray?
There is a specific structure to Lauds, though the content can vary depending upon the liturgical season and whether or not it is a feast day or a special occasion. There are core elements that will always be present: an opening hymn, several Psalms, a Scripture reading, the Benedictus (Song of Zechariah), intercessions, the Lord's Prayer, and a concluding prayer. The Psalms and readings are selected based on a four-week cycle, ensuring that a broad range of themes and texts are covered throughout the month.
Here is an example of Lauds:
- Opening Verse and Introduction
- Sign of the Cross is made
- An Invocation similar to “Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.”
- Reading of Psalm 95
- Reciting of a Hymn
- Psalms and Canticle Reading
- Scripture Reading (A short reading that aligns with the theme)
- Response (A call and response reading)
- Canticle of Zechariah (the Benedictus from Luke 1:68-79)
- Intercessions (offering prayers of intercession for others)
- Reciting the Lord’s Prayer
- A concluding prayer (reflecting the themes of the day)
- Blessing/Dismissal
While the structure of Lauds is set, there is also room for personalization. Many who pray Lauds add their own times of silent reflection as well as add personalize prayer to the structured prayers. The structured prayers can serve as a foundation which can lead into a more personal conversation with God. The combination of fixed prayers and personal touch can make it both communal (knowing that all of the faith are praying at the same time) and deeply personal.
Can Everyone Pray This?
While Lauds is traditionally a part of the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, it is fundamentally rooted in Scripture and is therefore accessible to all Christians. While some of the elements, like making the sign of the cross, might not be comfortable for Christians of all traditions, the structure here might be helpful even to non-Catholics.
Personally, I do not come from a high church tradition. My initial reaction to such a structure is that it feels cold and formal. But if I’m being honest, many times our “free” praying ends up stuck in a similar rut. How many times have we prayed, “Thank you Lord for this food…”? As I’ve been a Christian for a couple decades now, I’m beginning to find great benefit in these structures. It keeps us focused and gives a foundation.
There is a benefit in connecting with broader Christian tradition and engaging in a form or prayer that has been practiced for centuries. I appreciate the connection with the rhythm of the day and the call to begin your day correctly. Some Protestant adaptations of the Liturgy of the Hours have even been made available. I’d suggest giving this a try. Maybe some of the specific prayers or structures won’t be for you. But it may also stretch your faith in a way that will be ultimately enriching.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Mike Leake is husband to Nikki and father to Isaiah and Hannah. He is also the lead pastor at Calvary of Neosho, MO. Mike is the author of Torn to Heal and Jesus Is All You Need. His writing home is http://mikeleake.net and you can connect with him on Twitter @mikeleake. Mike has a new writing project at Proverbs4Today.
