Many Christians use rosaries or prayer beads to help their personal devotions. Each bead represents a particular prayer, often with a larger bead or a cross as the starting point representing the 'Jesus Prayer', "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." This is an example of a 'breath prayer' a prayer that can be said on one breath, so that prayer is seen to be as essential to life as breathing.

Here are some instructions on how to make your own prayer bracelet. Simply find yourself some string or elastic and some different coloured beads, available in many craft and hobby shops.  This bracelet uses the Lord’s Prayer to begin with and then has sections focussing on different aspects of life (eg. oppression, ecological issues, justice etc.). Use a different kind of bead (eg. a plain wooden one) as a spacer between each section, a large bead for the Lord’s Prayer and a round bead to represent yourself. You may want to use different colours and you may not want to include all sections.

Large Bead
The Lord's Prayer
Loving God, hear my prayer

Violet Bead
I pray for oppressed people everywhere; help me to work for justice.

Indigo Bead
I pray for people who suffer because of their religious or political beliefs.

Mauve Bead
I pray for people who are trapped within abusive relationships.
Loving God, hear my prayer

Dark Blue Bead
I pray for those who feel sad today; help me to comfort the downhearted.

Medium Blue Bead
I pray for those who face an uncertain future because of health or work worries.

Light Blue Bead
I pray with thanks for those people I love and those who love me.
Loving God, hear my prayer

Dark Green Bead
Thank you for this beautiful world; help me to care for it.

Light Green Bead
Thank you for the diversity of plants and animals; help me to use resources wisely.

Turquoise
Thank you for the oceans, seas and rivers, teeming with life.
Loving God, hear my prayer

White (or Pale Yellow) Bead
I pray for the Make Poverty History campaign, that all your people can know abundant life.

Yellow Bead
I pray for those caught up in conflict and violence; help me to bring peace into the world.

Dark Yellow Bead
I pray for relief and development charities and those working for fair trade.
Loving God, hear my prayer

Bright Orange Bead
Thank you for children; help me to see your face in each child.

Dark Orange Bead
Thank you for older people; help me to value the stories of others.

Salmon Bead
I pray for...
Loving God, hear my prayer

Dark Pink Bead
Thank you for all people of faith; help us to work together for good.

Medium Pink Bead
Thank you for my church; help us to be a sign of your love in our community.

Light Pink Bead
Thank you for fun and friendship.
Loving God, hear my prayer

Round Bead
Giggling, laughing and dancing God, thank you for me! Help me to love others as myself and to live always in the knowledge of your eternal love. Amen.

Thank you to the people on the Pray Without Ceasing website for the above.

Further creative ideas can be found on their own website.