Why Do We Pray the Liturgy of the Hours?
“Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”
Prayer is essential to our daily lives. Prayer unites us with God, but it can also unite us together. No better prayer shows the unity between the Church and its people than the Liturgy of the Hours.
Here at the JPII Newman Center, a group of students has taken advantage of the accessibility of Liturgy of the Hours and run with it. Within the past year, a group that started with 6 students has grown to 20. Each night these students meet at 10:30 in our chapel to join in night prayer. Smaller groups have also begun to meet to pray at various hours throughout the day.
Where does this tradition come from?
Praying of the Psalms has its roots in Judaism. Ancient Jews, including Jesus and His disciples, prayed at specific times of the day (e.g., morning, noon, and evening), as stated in Psalm 55:17-18. The early Church continued this practice, gathering for prayer at different times of the day, particularly around dawn and evening. This developed into a more structured form of daily prayer. These times became a central part of Monastic life, with different religious orders meeting and praying these Psalms.
As Monasticism spread, so did the Liturgy of the Hours. By the Middle Ages, the prayers had become more formalized and widespread. The Church gradually adopted a standard format for the daily prayers, incorporating Psalms, hymns, readings, and intercessions. This has become required for all Priests and Religious Life, but the Second Vatican Council made it accessible for the laity as well.
The JPII Newman Group
When the group first started, I had only prayed Liturgy of the Hours on retreats, but it was never a part of my daily life. Getting the opportunity to be united through prayer with every Priest, Nun, Religious Brother, and Sister around the world has truly been a gift. Just like the celebration of the Mass, there is not a time when someone isn't praying the Liturgy of the Hours somewhere in the world.
My favorite part of the Liturgy of the Hours is the regimented schedule. On days when I pray at each time (morning, noon, evening, and night) my day is completely scheduled around prayer. I’m not trying to fit prayer into my day, but I'm forming my schedule to make sure I pray at these specific times.
I would encourage anyone looking to enhance their individual prayer life to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, whether it be in a group or on your own. It has changed my prayer life and I’m sure it will change yours.