​INTRODUCTION TO DAYSPRING DAILY PRAYER

The liturgies in “Dayspring Daily Prayer” seek to meet the following criteria:-
 
The text needs to:

1. be short and repetitive so it can be carried in the memory as an easy aid for recollection in the lives of ordinary people;
2. assist participants in centering on the presence of God, to quickly find and create a sacred, inner space of quiet;
3. provide a concise framework to support both the Lectionary readings and the prayers. The readings and the “Prayer for others” can be a lengthy and varied part of the liturgy, so the supporting framework is short. The liturgy’s prayers follow a daily and weekly rhythm, and, together with the Revised Common Lectionary readings, connect the Dayspring Community to each other (even if doing the liturgy alone) as well as connect us to the broader Christian community who also follow a similar rhythm of daily Lectionary readings and prayer;
4. be user-friendly and make it possible for anyone to lead the liturgy;
5. provide a sense of rhythm and identity that is characteristic of the Dayspring Community in its practice and emphasis.
6. “Dayspring Daily Prayer”  offers a rhythm of prayer through the day:

                             Morning Prayer (full or short version)
                             Mid-day Prayer (with or without Eucharist)
                             Evening Prayer (full or short version)
                             Prayer at the End of the Day (with Examen)
  
Dayspring’s Identity and Characteristics 
Dayspring Community has a broad interest in the practice and teaching of the main streams of Christian spirituality.
 
Some older liturgies have an emphasis on

1. the sinner,
2. confession and forgiveness, and
3. prayers for protection and being kept from sin.

 
In “Dayspring Daily Prayer” the focus is on

1. centering (awareness of God, the environment, others and self),
2. listening to God (in Scripture, Lectio Divina, silence, etc.),
3. the call to wholeness (conversion, Christ-likeness, fully human, true self, etc.).

 
Most Christian liturgies offer all the elements above in some part of their liturgy, but the emphasis used in this particular liturgy reflects the Dayspring Community’s focus. This gives a different feel, characteristic and identity to it
 

Notes on the Liturgies
 
The use of Bold text invites the use of different voices in the liturgies.  If you are reading alone there will be no need for differentiation.  If you are reading as a couple, simply use the Bold Text to be one person's voice.  If you are using these liturgies in a small group you may choose to have one member lead by reading the normal type with the rest of the group responding in unison with the Bold Text.  Or you may divide the group into two roughly equal groups to be the two voices.
 
Reflections of Different Spiritual Traditions
In the opening part of Morning and Evening Prayer the use of the phrases relate to different Christian spiritual traditions (such as Celtic, Benedictine, Ignatian, Franciscan and Julian spiritualties):
 
As I rise this day in the Presence of the Three
gives a Celtic flavour of “The Three;” God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.
 
I worship you Creator God;
Maker, Sustainer and Lover of all; who alone is uncreated.
is Celtic and Franciscan with an emphasis on creation, and also Julian (Julian of Norwich) with the three actions of God. The reference to uncreated God is acknowledging the unknowable or apophatic side of God.
 
I embrace you Christ Jesus;
Son of Mary, Son of God; my truest friend.
is both Celtic (Jesus McMary), an acknowledgement of the feminine in Mary and Christ’s humanity, and Ignatian in being a friend of Christ.
 
I inhale you gracious Spirit,
breath of the Living God, who draws me into wholeness.
is Ignatian in being drawn towards God, and in conversion to wholeness.
 
For the gift of this day, for the gifts of love and life,
for the gift of fellow pilgrims and companions on the way, we give you thanks, oh Lord
Pause in silence
In the quiet you might like to pray for one another
Thanks and prayer for each other comes out of a commitment by some in the Dayspring Community to pray for each other by name in the “Dayspring Daily Prayer”
 
As I listen to your word may I hear your gentle whisper.
Reflects the tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers and the poignant passage of Elijah meeting God in the desert (1 Kings 19:11-13).
 
As your word goes with me this day, may it renew my heart and mind.
The word God gives me from the reading of Scripture brings me conversion of life.
The Lectionary readings are framed with prayers and followed by space for an extended time of quiet reflection to enable the practice of Lectio Divina. This is a Benedictine tradition, a Dayspring Community staple, and a common practice in many Christian spiritual traditions. This is also why there are many pauses throughout the progress of the liturgy.
 
Midday Prayer with Eucharist 
Dayspring Community acknowledges and respects the long and powerful traditions that surround the offering of the Eucharist, or Communion and seeks to respect and acknowledge the differences in the beliefs and practices of different churches and denominations in the worldwide Christian community. 

Dayspring is a lay-led community that is firmly committed to the "Priesthood of all Believers", and, in keeping with the Dayspring Community’s ethos, “Midday Prayer with Eucharist” has been written with suggested prayers that can be led by any Christian in the gathered community.  This is a core practice of the Dayspring Community which strongly holds to the equality of all believers and respects the very same and inviting presence of Christ in all other Christ-ones. Those using this resource who have sensitivities about lay leadership of the Eucharist may prefer to do Midday Prayer without the Eucharist.  
 
General Comments on the Liturgy 
In “Dayspring Daily Prayer,” each day’s prayer begins with a verse from the Psalms. This also has a Benedictine essence, and reminds us of the roots of Christian spirituality in the Benedictine tradition, and of our connection with the Benedictine Community at New Norcia, Western Australia.
 
The first section of each “Morning Prayer” and “Evening Prayer” replaces the traditional “Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit …” However, the emphasis on the Triune God is retained, and the opening phrases either welcome in the morning or acknowledge the winding down of the day.
 
“Prayer at the End of the Day” has a suggested Examen that is in line with the Ignatian tradition of being attentive to the presence of Christ through daily self-examination and praise.
 
Many of the other Scripture passages are commonly used in the Dayspring Community’s programs.
 
Sometimes the first-person singular (‘I’) is used and at other times the first-person plural (‘we’). The singular makes the reading personal, even in a group, and the plural gives a sense of community, even when alone.
 
The short versions of “Morning Prayer,” “Mid-Day Prayer” and “Evening Prayer” are to aid in memorization of the liturgy for those who have a mobile lifestyle.