Learn AboutThe Divine Hours
Discover the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer that has connected Christians across history, geography, and faith traditions for over two millennia.
The Golden Chain of Connection
From the beginning, two things have been the necessary form and mystery of Christian spirituality. Like a double helix rendered elegant by complexity and splendid by authority, the amalgam of gospel and shared meal, and the discipline of fixed-hour prayer have remained the chain of golden connection tying Christian to Christ and Christian to Christian.
Ancient Origins
- Rooted in Jewish practice and adopted by early Christians as foundational spiritual discipline.
Universal Practice
- Originally practiced by all believers, not just monastic or clerical classes.
Structured Rhythm
- Set times throughout the day create a holy rhythm that shapes entire life.
Global Connection
- Connects you with believers worldwide who pray the same prayers each day.
Understanding The Divine Hours Schedule
Fixed-hour prayer involves praying at set times throughout the day. This practice has roots in Judaism and was adopted by early Christians as a way to shape their days around prayer and Scripture.
Traditional Schedule
Third Hour: 9:00 a.m.
Sixth Hour: 12:00 noon
Evening Prayer: 6:00 p.m.
Compline: Before bed
The Divine Hours generally have a three-hour window with prayers on the hour or half hour. Our online tool displays the Divine Hours using morning, midday, evening, and compline prayer windows to make the practice more accessible for modern life.
Origins and Historical Foundation
The Divine Hours were originally practiced by all believers in the early church, not just monastic or clerical classes. This daily rhythm of prayer was intended to center believers in their faith and connect them with the larger community of believers who were also praying at the same times.
Jewish Foundations
The practice traces back to Jewish daily prayer cycles, providing the foundation for Christian fixed-hour prayer traditions.
Early Church Adoption
From the beginning, Christians wove this practice into daily life, making it as fundamental as sharing meals and studying Scripture.
Liturgical Structure
The Divine Hours follow a liturgy—a structured way of praying—which includes set prayers, Scripture readings, and sometimes hymns or songs.
Putting The Divine Hours into Practice
While the Divine Hours may seem daunting to those unfamiliar with the practice, starting can be as simple as finding one time each day to set aside for prayer. There are many resources available to help believers engage meaningfully in fixed-hour prayer.
- • Start Small: Begin with one prayer time each day—morning, lunch break, or before bed.
- • Build Gradually: Once you've established this routine, slowly add additional prayer times.
- • Incorporate Existing Practice: If you already pray regularly, integrate the Divine Hours liturgy.
- • Pray with Others: Share the practice with family, friends, or faith community, in person or online.
- • Remember Grace: The Divine Hours don't have to be all or nothing—even one set time daily is meaningful.
"The Divine Hours is a manual for the contemporary exercise of fixed-hour prayer. Like a double helix rendered elegant by complexity and splendid by authority, it connects Christian to Christ and Christian to Christian across history."
Phyllis Tickle, Introduction to The Divine Hours
Resources for Fixed-Hour Prayer
The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle represents the first major literary and liturgical reworking of the sixth-century Benedictine Rule of fixed-hour prayer for contemporary use.
Experience The Divine Hours Today
Don't be afraid to start small and gradually build your practice. Even setting aside one time each day to pray the liturgy can be a meaningful and grounding spiritual discipline.
Support Prayerful Rhythms of Care
CareNote helps churches care for people—not just in crisis, but in rhythm. Whether you're offering fixed-hour prayer guides, leading intercession teams, or organizing pastoral follow-up, CareNote keeps your care ministry grounded, responsive, and spiritually attentive.
The Divine Hours content is reprinted with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. © Copyright 2003 Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.