Prayer beads can be a meaningful part of your prayer life. I’d like to share my personal approach to using them as part of a contemplative prayer practice.
Prayer beads are for anyone.
Prayer beads have been around for thousands of years. Many people associate them with the Catholic rosary, but believers from many traditions use them as a guide for prayer. The particular beads I use are Anglican. I found mine on Amazon (of course!), though there are also many handmade options on Etsy if you prefer something more personal.
Prayer beads can offer a rhythm and focus to your prayer time. They aren’t a formula or a requirement, just a simple, tactile way to stay present with God.
Prayer beads provide a tactile approach to prayer.
When I sit down to pray, my mind often wanders. I can start with good intentions and find myself distracted within minutes. Using prayer beads helps me stay grounded. The feel of each bead between my fingers gives me something tangible to focus on, allowing my prayers to unfold slowly and intentionally.
If that sounds helpful, you might want to give prayer beads a try. They can turn prayer from something abstract into a sensory experience. Something you feel as well as speak.
The structure of my beads
The terminology I use is my own. I took a short class on prayer beads from my former pastor, but I’ve adapted the practice to suit my own rhythm. Feel free to make adjustments according to your needs.
When I pray with my beads, I start at the cross and work my way up the tail. My focus here is PRAISE.
As I touch the cross and each bead in the tail, I offer words of praise. Sometimes a different word for each bead, other times repeating the same phrase throughout. I might pray, “I praise you for your wisdom,” or “I praise you for your love,” allowing the rhythm of my breathing to slow and center me. When I reach the large silver bead that connects the tail to the loop, I pause and take several deep breaths before moving on.
Section 1: immediate family
This section has seven beads, which I use to pray for my immediate family. With four people in my family (counting myself), I might spend the first few beads praying for us as a unit, then use the remaining beads to lift up each of us individually. At the silver bead, I pause and take a few slow breaths before continuing.
Section 2: extended family
Here I pray for my extended family. Sometimes collectively, sometimes for individuals who come to mind. You might use one bead for each sibling and their family, or for a cousin, aunt, or uncle. There’s no right or wrong way; just let the Spirit guide you.
Section 3: friends
For these beads, I think of the circles of friendship God has woven into my life: high school friends, college friends, work friends, neighbors. Some beads represent groups, others specific people. I always include my long-time prayer partners and their families here.
Section 4: church family
Our church has a prayer chain, and I’m often aware of specific needs within our congregation. I also serve in small groups and committees, where we share joys and concerns. This final section helps me hold our church community in prayer: its people, its ministries, and its mission in the world.
To close my prayer time, I go back through the tail one bead at a time to the cross. My focus now is THANKSGIVING.
As I touch each bead, I offer gratitude for the ways God is present and at work. This is also a time to release any worries or tension I’ve been holding, entrusting everything to God. Amen.
Could this contemplative practice be right for you?
When I first heard about prayer beads, I wasn’t sure what to think. But after taking the class and trying it myself, I found it surprisingly meaningful. It gives shape to my prayer time and helps me feel connected and at peace.
Remember, this is a flexible practice. You can repeat a section, create new ones, or use the beads for a completely different focus. You might add a section for your community, city, or nation. Praying for leaders, neighbors, and the world around us keeps our hearts open beyond ourselves.
If you’ve tried prayer beads or adapted this practice in your own way, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Other contemplative prayer posts:
- a prayer labyrinth: walking as you pray
- examen prayer: guidance and growth
- imaginative contemplation
- visio divina: a practice of sacred seeing
- centering prayer: be still and know
- welcoming prayer
- breath prayer: inhale peace and exhale stress
- lectio divina
Other posts you may like:
- home state themed gift ideas
- book review: The Women
- Human Library: creating positive change one “book” at a time
- visiting Mammoth Cave National Park
- book review: She Likes It, Hey Micah
- whole wheat blueberry almond scones
- homemade chai: spicy indulgence
- leaning into the Lord’s Prayer
- prayer walk at home: a complete guide
- praying for your community: a prayer “walk” around town
- praying scripture
- blessings from brokenness: insights from Draw Near by Hadassah Treu
Fondly,
Crysti
updated October 2025
This was very interesting to me. I would like to learn more. I always pray early in the morning beginning with prayers for my family and extended family. I pray for each one of them by name.
I then move on to prayer chain requests of which I am a member.
Then I pray for our nation and for our leaders.
This strikes me as being very similar. It has been a big blessing to my life and such a joy to see the answers!
Yes, that does sound like a similar approach! We can talk about it anytime. 🙂