The liturgy of the hours are the official prayer for Christians since the second Vatican Council in 1962-65.
When one's own words limp and fail to engage the Maker, conventional prayers, like the psalms that are a large part of the liturgy of the hours each day are clearly a big help to each of us.
Withe the penitential 40-day season of Lent starting Feb. 22nd, praying the liturgy of the hours would be a routine that merits the commitment, followed by the 50-day Easter season through Pentecost Sunday, a bigger celebration since Resurecction is BIG!
Intercessions, psalms, additional scriptural citations, a gospel canticle, and more, comprise the liturgy of the hours, that are ideally set to music since psalms are meant to be sung.
Luke 1:46-55 is a gospel canticle used during evening prayer, for example:
My soul proclaims the greeatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their consent.
You may want to open you bible for the remaining verses.
Prayer and pauses thorughout the day diminish stress and keep people connected with God.
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