Developing a Personal Rosary
Below is a numbered picture of my personal Rosary. It is loosely based on the Five Decade Rosary but I have made some adjustments to order and the prayers have been re-worded in some cases. You will also notice that the Hail Mary's have been replaced with a repetition of my own personal prayer and praise to the Holy Spirit and the 4 smaller beads in each scripture cycle are there for me to pray for others or for personal circumstances as I have need. I find it particularly helpful to focus on a single bead when praying for someone else. Somehow, this keeps me focused on that person.
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For personal meditation, I have made a special inclusion of Matthew 4:1-11 and Matthew 11:1-6 to focus on Jesus' example when facing Temptation and His response to our Doubt. I have also made some other inclusions to the daily scriptures. For example Wednesday and Sunday are my days to focus on Discipleship and so I have added scriptures from Matthew 5 and Matthew 10.
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As for the physical Rosary, I have used beads of onyx and lapis lazuli and a crucifix which are meaningful to me but it's also good to keep in mind that you don't need the physical beads to pray in this way. Remember it's your heart and spending time in scripture that's most important. Your Bible is all you need.
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This has been a most beautiful addition to my relationship with God and the development of my prayer-life. It is in no way a substitution for the many other ways I pray all through the day - believe me! I hope you find it helpful.
1. On the crucifix (cross), pray the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, my Almighty Father, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, my Almighty Father; He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
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2. On the next large bead, pray The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
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3. On the following three faceted beads pray a personal prayer:
I love the Lord my God, His love endures forever, He leads me along righteous paths, I am His and He is mine forever, I love the Lord my God.
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4. On the next large bead, pray:
Praise to Lord Jesus, full of grace. The Lord is with me. Blessed is the name of the Lord who gives and takes away. Worthy is the lamb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Holy Spirit intercede for me, Father, forgive my sin now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
5. On the Pendant, Meditate on Temptation and Doubt:
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 11:1-6
6. On the large beads meditate on each of the scriptures:
Mondays and Saturdays
Luke 1:26–38
Luke 1:39–56
Luke 2:1–21
Luke 2:22–38
Luke 2:41–52
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Tuesdays and Fridays
Matthew 26:36–56
Matthew 27:26
Matthew 27:27–31
Matthew 27:32
Matthew 27:33–56
7. Prayers for others on the following small beads
8. Pray personal prayer on the three faceted beads (as at No. 3)
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9. At the end of your Rosary pray:
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, our life, and our hope. To You we cry, to You we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Gracious Saviour, turn your eyes to us.
Intercede for us, Holy Spirit, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant to us, that, meditating upon these scriptures, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesdays and Sundays: Discipleship Focus
John 20:1–29
Luke 24:36–53
Acts 2:1–41
Matthew 5:1- 16
Matthew 10:1 – 42
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Thursdays
Matthew 3:13–16
John 2:1–11
Mark 1:14–15
Matthew 17:1–8
Matthew 26