Browsing by Author "Rivers, Prince R"

This thesis argues that evangelical Christian communities, which traditionally reject liturgical models of prayer, might be spiritually enhanced through more disciplined prayer practices—specifically the corporate observance of a Daily Office. The ancient and apostolic pedigree of such prayer liturgies is especially relevant when considering congregations that demonstrate influence from the American Restoration Movement, which model worship exclusively according to New Testament based practices. To propose the implementation of a prayer liturgy within such a community, consideration should be given for the success of organized corporate prayer throughout the history of Christian worship. Fortunately, evidence suggests the successful receptivity of intentionally rhythmed prayer within key periods of ecclesial history, including the Early Church, the post-Constantinian period, and the Protestant Reformation. It is this historical research, coupled with exegesis of relevant biblical texts and the resultant theological implications, that provides the foundation for the action research project detailed here, in which a customized daily breviary might be introduced into an Evangelical Christian community such as Oxford Baptist Church.