1. The easiest way to use your beads is simply to hold them in your hand as you pray. This will help you make the connection between the beads and time with God.  Then you need God and have no words, you can hold the prayer beads and feel that connection you have built. 

2. Another way to use prayer beads if you did a strand that has the 4 large beads to seperate the sections is to read a scripture and use the beads to meditate on that passage.  Read it one time for each large bead then move the small beads and you notice things in the passage (maybe a word, a thought, a vision of something). C ontinue through your medium beads and when you come to the next large one, read the passage again and use the beads to name what you notice in the passage.  This helps us be drawn deeper into the passage.  

3.  On Sunday I talked about using the beads to pray for Forgiveness, Thanksgiving, Intersession (praying for others) and Blessings.  You can do this even if you didn't put on any large beads..  Simply start at the lower beads  telling yourself that Christ is the the light of world, new life and possibility.  Then as you touch each medium bead, ask God to help you let go fo ght ethings you have not done well.  Do this for as many things as you can think of or until you reach a large bead.  At the large bead remeber that you are loved and forgiven.  (If you didn't put in large beads, do this with a medium bead as you finish your prayers of forgiveness.  Now give thanks to God- this can be for all that is good, or for something good in the midst of struggle. Pray thankgiving until you get to the large bead or run out of thanks.  Remember God is Good and move to intersession (praying for others).  Do this until you hit a large bead or run out of prayers and remind yourself that God works in all circumstances, even if it not our desire)  Finally use the beads to pray blessings over those you think need a blessing today. 

When you get back to the bottom of your beads, consider how Christ is making all things new and give thanks.