My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises…Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Psalm 119:148, 164
“Work is to be done not only as a chastisement of the body, but for the sake of love to our neighbour and supplying weak and sick brethren with the necessaries of life. The apostle says that if a man will not work he must not eat. Daily work is as necessary as daily bread. The services of the day are thus marked out. The first movements of heart and mind ought to be consecrated to God. Therefore early in the morning nothing ought to be planned or purposed before we have been gladdened by the thought of God; as it is written, “I remembered God, and was gladdened;” the body is not to be set to work before we have obeyed the command, “O Lord, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; in the morning will I order my prayer unto thee.” Again at the third hour there is to be a rising up to prayer, and the brotherhood is to be called together, even though they happen to have been dispersed to various works. The sixth hour is also to be marked by prayer, in obedience to the words of the Psalmist, “evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” To ensure deliverance from the demon of noon-day, Psalm 91is to be recited. The ninth hour is consecrated to prayer by the example of the Apostles Peter and John, who at that hour went up into the Temple to pray. Now the day is done. For all the boons of the day, and the good deeds of the day, we must give thanks. For omissions there must be confession. For sins voluntary or involuntary, or unknown, we must appease God in prayer. At nightfall Psalm 91 is to be recited again, midnight is to be observed in obedience to the example of Paul and Silas, and the injunction of the Psalmist. Before dawn we should rise and pray again, as it is written, “Mine eyes prevent the night watches.” Here the canonical hours are marked, but no details are given as to the forms of prayer.”
Basil of Caesarea in Basil: Letters and Select Works, trans. Philip Schaff (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 92.
Basil sketches the biblical basis for observing the canonical hours. In plain terms, if we pause seven times a day, following the example of saints in the Scriptures, it helps us remember why we are here.
Coming off a holiday in the USA, it’s time to get to work to have resources to enjoy and share. But before we work, as we work, and after we work, it is good to pause to pray. At what times?
Try 6am, 9am, 12noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and at bedtime after 9pm or when you get up before 6am (night watch). We do this to reset, to remember, to recount, to reflect, to repent, to return, and to rest.
Try this over 21 days. Pray a psalm at the canonical hours to restore your soul and help you remember why you are here. This spiritual practice will position you to live, give, serve, and love more generously.