INTERVIEW: John-Francis Friendship

John-Francis Friendship talks about prayer, contemplation, and his new book Daily Prayer and Divine Office …

 

Can you begin by defining the Daily Prayer and the Divine Office?

 

‘Daily Prayer’ and the ‘Divine Office’ are titles given to prayer books created by the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches as their ‘official’ (hence ‘Office’) book of daily prayer.  It is a form of prayer which emerged during the early Christian era and is utterly biblical.  With no particular version in mind my booklet was written as an ecumenical introduction to praying the Office which is applicable to most forms of the Prayer of the Church. It is also known as the Prayer of the ‘Hours’ as, beginning in the evening, they are set for different times during the night and day. Most will pray Morning and Evening Prayer, others will add Midday Prayer and Compline, whilst a few will follow the monastic tradition of ‘seven times a day will I praise you’ (Ps.119.164) – and some will also pray during the night or very early in the morning.

 

Why is The Office important?

 

The Office can seem quite complicated and wordy and some have given up this form of prayer – or felt it isn’t for them. My intention is to reveal something of the richness of the Office and why this form of prayer – known and probably used in some form by Jesus – is still helpful today. One of the most important reasons to use it is that it seeps the person who prays it in the scriptures (and isn’t dependent on the bits we like) – especially the psalms which the great Christian martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, described as the ‘prayer book of the Bible’.

 

How can we find time for prayer and contemplation in our fast-paced modern lives?

 

Like the five daily times of prayer for Muslims (who inherited them from Christian monks) it comes down to knowing the importance of this ’formal’ prayer as a fundamental means for developing our relationship with God in Christ – and then, as Muslims do, setting aside times to pray the Office and being faithful to them.  Contemplation, on the other hand, can be practiced even in the midst of busy-ness – by centering the heart into an awareness of the ‘Other’ in creation, another person, a word from scripture or a ‘prayer-word’ (as suggested below).

 

In what ways is your book, Daily Prayer and Divine Office, different from others on the subject?

 

There are some very good books on the subject but they can take an academic approach whilst this condensed, 80-page booklet is concerned to help people pray it better.  It isn’t concerned with any particular version but assumes a generic form (based on the ‘traditional’ Western layout) in order to be of use to a variety of forms of the Office.

 

How should readers approach your book?

 

One needs to approach it from the perspective of ‘how can this help me pray the Office more devoutly?’  Set out in a reasonably logical sequence which follows the content of the traditional Western Office, its twelve short chapters were written to help people pray it with greater understanding and be aided in uncovering its richness.  It’s best to read each one and mull it over before moving to the next – otherwise it’s easy to get indigestion! Let what is said inform your heart – not just your brain!

 

Do you have a particular prayer, or form of prayer, that you return to often?

 

I find both the ‘Jesus Prayer’ and the simple prayer St Francis of Assisi is known to have used (“My God and all”) are helpful aids to praying with my breathing and, whilst it’s not always possible, I value times of personal prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. I will also sometimes simply pray using the Holy Name in rhythm of my breathing (Je-sus). I am also mindful of St Paul’s injunction concerning prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) which the ‘Daily Principles’ of the Society of St Francis draw attention to in reminding us that we are all to live ‘in so constant a remembrance of God’s presence that (we) do indeed pray without ceasing' - so, I also seek to ‘see God in all things’ and respond with thankful love and praise.

 

John-Francis Friendship entered Religious Life in 1976, after a business career, spending 25 years with the (Anglican) Society of St Francis. During this time he was ordained to the priesthood and, for 10 years, was a parish priest. He is now a member of the Franciscan Third Order and lives with his partner in London whilst continuing to offer a priestly ministry. He leads Quiet Days and Retreats and has published three books.

 

Daily Prayer and Divine Office: A Short Introduction is available now in paperback, priced £7.99.