Being drawn into the affections of Christ demands consistency. We need consistent attention to the Word. Constant attention to the basics, such as the Sermon on the Mount or Psalms, allows us to have a path to drawing us back to the place of seeing Christ.

Consistent prayer is key. Early in my life I was thankful for the ministry of Dick Eastman and a small book of his called The Hour That Changes the World. It was about how to spend an hour in prayer. It allowed me to have a framework for prayer early so I could learn how to walk deeper in prayer later on in life.

The liturgical life has led me to the Daily Office. I am now in the Anglican tradition and the Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful tool for prayer, for confession, and worship. While I am not in the Daily Office … well, … daily… I use it in seasons and from there I find other paths of prayer the Spirit has for me.

The age of apps is also a help because the Daily Office can be offered on my phone so I don’t need to carry around the Book of Common Prayer and my Bible.

The consistency of the Daily Office has the temptation of being dismissed because they are “written” prayers. I come from a Pentecostal tradition and we’re supposed to learn how to pray our own words. Praying the Daily Office allows me to have words to begin. I can certainly go into my own words at certain points.

The beauty of the Daily Office is that I am also going to face consistent areas of need and growth that I could easily ignore without the Daily Office.

Like confession. I can easily skip that more often!

But every morning, I can look at this prayer and pause on phrases:

Almighty and most merciful Father,

we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires

of our own hearts.

We have offended against your holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,

and we have done those things which we ought not

to have done;

and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Spare all those who confess their faults.

Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises

declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,

that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,

to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.

I am going to be in the Psalms every day because of the Daily Office. I am going to be in the Word consistently. I will read an OT passage and a Gospel passage every morning.

The basis of my faith is recited daily in the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

The basis of all prayer, the Lord’s Prayer… every day.

The affections of Christ are closer when I am consistent in prayer. The guidance of the Daily Office is incredibly helpful to me.

Allow a specific rhythm into your life. Allow the words long practiced by the Ancient Church to become your words. Allow the Spirit to use those words to launch into prayers of your own. And Christ draws closer in the process.