Why You Should Pray the Liturgy of the Hours (and Why It Might Be the Best Prayer Rhythm Ever)

When we became Catholic, we were blown away by the beauty of the Church’s traditions. One of the greatest surprises for us has been the Liturgy of the Hours. It’s structured, deeply rooted in Scripture, and totally connected to the life of the Church. Once we found it, it felt like everything else, including the spiritual practices we grew up with, paled in comparison.

And while the Rosary gets a lot of attention in Catholic circles, we’ve found that it just doesn’t come close to what the Liturgy of the Hours offers. We don’t pray the Rosary in our home. Not because we’re against Mary or dislike repetition, but because we’ve discovered something richer, deeper, and more Christ-centered. We believe more Catholics should seriously consider giving the Liturgy of the Hours pride of place in their daily life.

Our Story

Before Catholicism, we were in the evangelical world. I was a pastor in various churches, and prayer there was usually spontaneous, shaped by whatever the devotional reading or sermon theme was that day. It wasn’t bad, it just lacked consistency. There was no rhythm that tied it all together.

When we entered the Church, we immediately fell in love with the Mass. It was obvious this was the center of everything. But we started to wonder, what does the Church offer to anchor the rest of the day? That’s when we stumbled on the Liturgy of the Hours, and it changed everything.

No more random devotionals or freeform prayers that drifted from day to day. Now, we had a prayer rhythm that followed the seasons of the Church, rooted us in Scripture, and tied us to the prayers of Christians all over the world. And it wasn’t just nice. It was powerful.

What Is the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours (also called the Divine Office) has ancient roots. It started in the Jewish practice of praying the Psalms at set times during the day. The early Church adopted that rhythm, and over time it became a complete daily cycle of prayer that includes Psalms, Scripture readings, and writings from the saints.

It’s not something buried in history books. It’s alive. Priests and religious pray it every day. More and more lay Catholics are discovering it too. When you pray it, you’re joining a living, global rhythm of worship. It brings God into your morning, midday, evening, and night, not just on Sundays, but every day.

Why We Prefer the Liturgy of the Hours Over the Rosary

This isn’t about knocking the Rosary. But the truth is, we don’t find it as helpful or meaningful. The Liturgy of the Hours offers more. Here’s why we think it deserves a bigger role in the spiritual lives of everyday Catholics:

1. It’s All Scripture

When you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re immersed in the Bible. You’re praying the Psalms, reading from the Gospels, the epistles, the Old Testament, every day. It’s not a summary or reflection about Scripture. It is Scripture.

2. It Keeps Christ at the Center

The Rosary is centered on Mary’s experience of Jesus. That’s good, but the Liturgy of the Hours puts Christ Himself right in the middle. It aligns your day with His story, His words, and His mission.

3. It’s Liturgical

Each time you pray the Hours, you’re syncing with the Church’s liturgical calendar. You’re not just praying randomly. You’re entering into a pattern that the Church has kept for centuries. one that flows out from the Mass and sanctifies your whole day.

4. It’s Shared by the Whole Church

Unlike the Rosary, which is a private devotion, the Liturgy of the Hours is the official public prayer of the Church. When you pray it, you’re praying with priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople all over the world. And not just Catholics. Orthodox and some Anglicans pray it too. It’s a prayer of unity.

5. It’s Less About Preference, More About Formation

The Rosary tends to be more individual and preference-driven. Some people love it, some don’t. But the Liturgy of the Hours isn’t about personal preference. It’s about being formed by the rhythm of the Church, day in and day out.

How to Start

It can feel a little intimidating at first, but getting started is easier than you think:

1. Start Small

Begin with Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers). Those are the “hinge hours” and they cover most of the spiritual ground.

2. Use a Good App or Website

We use the Divine Office app, and we love it. It’s simple, user-friendly, and even has audio so you can pray along on your commute or while folding laundry.

3. Make It a Real Habit

Set a time each day for prayer. Or flip it: structure your day around prayer. The Church calls this “sanctifying the hours.” It’s not about squeezing God in. It’s about putting Him first.

4. Pray with Others When You Can

If you can find a parish or group that prays the Hours together, jump in. It adds a whole new layer to the experience. But even when you pray alone, you’re never really alone.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re missing out on one of the richest treasures the Church has to offer. It’s shaped our days, deepened our faith, and brought us into closer communion with the Body of Christ.

We believe more Catholics should lean into this form of prayer. It’s not just for monks and nuns. It’s for you. And in our experience, it’s far more nourishing than the Rosary or any other devotional out there.

If the Mass is the source and summit of our faith, the Liturgy of the Hours is the rhythm that carries you from one to the next. Give it a shot. You won’t regret it.