The Liturgy of the Hours with Your Baby

Alex Resch explains how the quiet moments spent rocking and feeding your baby are the perfect times to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.

When you are busy caring for a baby, it is hard to fit in times of rest and prayer between the diapering, rocking, feeding, and teething. You may feel so spread thin and exhausted that you can’t seem to find the time or energy to maintain any sort of prayer routine (or any sort of routine, for that matter!). This is totally normal, and as a mom of little ones I can relate.

On the other hand, what if we looked at the long hours of caring for our little ones as special times of prayer that we could offer up to the Lord? Today, I will share how you can use the quiet moments of caring for your baby to pray the Liturgy of the Hours together.

What Is the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. (USCCB.org)

Laity are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours to unite our prayers with the Universal Church. The Liturgy of the Hours are wonderful for helping us enter into different liturgical seasons, inspiring us with the lives of the saints, and offering opportunities to meditate on God’s word throughout the day.

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When to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

There are five main hours of the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day (or seven if you break down “Daytime Prayer” into Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon prayers). That is seven beautiful opportunities to spend special time with Our Lord and your baby!

Feedings and naps are great times to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. There will also inevitably be times of sickness, teething, and sleep regressions for your little one. Even though it is upsetting to see your baby go through these times, think of it as God asking you to rest and slow down. These are also perfect times to pray the Divine Office and unite your sufferings with Jesus!

Here are the times (which are general and flexible) and how to work them into your routine with your baby. Simply find a time that aligns with your baby’s nap or feeding schedule, and use these times as cues to pray one or more of the hours.

As with any new habit, it would be a good idea to choose one of these times (perhaps night prayer or matins) to start praying with your baby. There is no need to pray them all, and the flexibility is one thing I really love about the Liturgy of the Hours.

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

This prayer “takes place upon rising.” This can be prayed right when you and your baby wake up in the morning.

Daytime Prayer

These prayers “may take place at Midmorning (Terce), Midday (Sext), or Midafternoon (None).” See how flexible it is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours? Daytime prayers are perfect to pray as you are putting your baby down for a nap at any of those points in the day.

Evening Prayer (Vespers)

This prayer “takes place as dusk begins to fall.” So, if the sun is setting or has recently set and you are snuggling your baby, then it is time for evening prayer.

Night Prayer (Compline)

This prayer is said right before going to sleep. It is relatively short and very comforting to pray before bed. Cue up this prayer as you rock you baby to sleep later at night.

Office of Readings (Matins)

The Office of Readings are “a service with a biblical reading and a reading from the Fathers or Church writers or a reading related to a saint which may take place at any time of day.” This one is super flexible and can be prayed any time.

How to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours with Your Baby

Step 1: Download an app to listen to the Divine Office on your Phone

I love the Divine Office App, available for Android and Apple. Simply open the app and choose the time of prayer that matches whatever time you wish to pray.

Step 2: Gaze at the Crucifix

Wherever you rock your baby, be sure to have a crucifix nearby. Gazing at the crucifix with your baby is a lovely and helpful way to focus as you pray even when you are low on energy or sleep.

Step 3: Pray Together

Now, simply enjoy this time with Jesus and your baby! As you pray and listen to the Divine Office together, think of the truth and beauty that is filling your baby’s ears and heart (and yours!) as she drifts off to sleep or enjoys milk and cuddles with mom. Bonus tip: tell your older children that they may come into the room as long as they pray or play quietly.

Step 4: End the Prayer Time Kneeling, if Possible

Once your baby is settled and happy, end the prayer time kneeling as the Divine Office finishes playing or after it finishes. I have found that even a few moments kneeling in prayer are peaceful and restorative.

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For moms, sometimes it is hard to find time to spend with Our Lord. Making it a natural part of our routine as we care for our baby gives us these precious moments to offer to God and allows us to listen to Him and feel His presence!

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The Liturgy of the Hours with Your Baby

What Is the Liturgy of the Hours?