Times of transition in our lives (whether wanted or unwanted) are periods when we are a bit unmoored. Our old “normal” has ceased to be, and our new “normal” hasn’t quite taken shape yet, so we’re in that undefined space in the middle.
I’m the midst of my own period of transition right now as I move myself and my business across town. Everything feels new and unsettled and out of place. While it’s exciting in some ways, there’s also some grief layered in with the discomfort of all the change.
When I’m navigating periods of transition, I find it helpful to keep in mind the journey of the caterpillar to a butterfly. There are four stages to the process:
- The caterpillar first encloses itself into it’s cocoon (called a chrysalis), which marks an end to its life as a caterpillar.
- Once in the chrysalis, the caterpillar actually dissolves into a primordial goo that is no longer caterpillar, but is also not yet a butterfly.
- Slowly this goo begins to reform into a the new shape of a butterfly.
- Lastly, the butterfly must break open the chrysalis and fight to emerge into its new life.
My short-hand names for the four stages are Ending, Dissolving, Reforming, and Emerging. We all go through these steps (in much less dramatic outward form) to some degree every time we experience a transition.
This set of prayers for use with an Anglican rosary moves through these four stages of a transition process with the four weeks. Each week opens with a cruciform prayer focusing on that stage’s challenges, then uses a breath prayer for all the week beads in that week to keep things simple and help the mind settle.
It can either be prayed as listed below, with all four weeks (stages) used in one rosary session, OR you can focus only on the stage you are currently moving through and use the prayers for that stage for all four weeks. If doing the latter option, you can still move through all four stages over time as you move through your own transition, but you wouldn’t use them all in a single rosary session. Do what works best for you!
| Cross: | Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen |
| Invitatory bead: | Lord, you promise that you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3) Increase my trust and make my mind steadfast, for my heart is anxious when I look away from you. |
| Cruciform bead 1: (Ending) | Lord, as this one part of my life is ending, help me trust in you and in your plan. Though I grieve over what is ending, may I let go with open hands ready to receive your will for me. |
| Week beads 1-7: | (inhale) Not my will, (exhale) but yours be done. (Luke 22:42) |
| Cruciform bead 2: (Dissolving) | Lord, the structure that defined my old normal is dissolving into instability. Help me remember that you are a rock that I can cling to in all times and places. |
| Week beads 1-7: | (inhale) In you, Lord God, (exhale) I have an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:4) |
| Cruciform bead 3: (Reforming) | Lord, I see glimmers of a new normal beginning to take shape. Guide me into forming a life that honors you. |
| Week beads 1-7: | (inhale) Holy Wisdom, (exhale) show me the way. |
| Cruciform bead 4: (Emerging) | Lord, it is time for me to emerge fully into this new post-transition life. Give me the courage to trust your leading as I embrace what you have made. |
| Week beads 1-7: | (inhale) When I am afraid, (exhale) I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3) |
| Cruciform bead 1: (Upon returning to the start) | LORD, you know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11) Help me trust your plans for me during this transition, and let my anxious heart find rest in you. Amen. |
| Invitatory bead: | Lord, you promise that you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3) Increase my trust and make my mind steadfast, for my heart is anxious when I look away from you. |
| Cross: | All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) Amen. |
Find a different set of prayers for an Anglican rosary on a related theme in Prayers for seasons of change.
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