If someone wears an orthodox prayer rope bracelet, does that remind him/her to pray? ?

Question

or what exactly is it used for? and how is it used? (Do they not pray on their own without it or forget or what)

Answer 1

Of course you can pray without a prayer rope!!!!  The prayer rope is given to a monk at the time of his tonsure, but in recent years they have become quite popular among lay people.  I see sometimes young people wearing them as an "accessory" like jewelry, without having the slightest idea what its true purpose is.  Well, the prayer rope DOES have a purpose....

The following article is one that you will find enlightening.  Please read it, and you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about prayer ropes!!

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/combo...

Answer 2

The history of the prayer rope goes back to the origins of Christian monasticism itself. When monks began going into the deserts of Egypt, it was their custom to pray the entire 150 Psalms every day. However, because some of the monks were unable to read, they would either have to memorize the psalms or perform other prayers and prostrations in their stead. Thus the tradition of saying 150 (or more) Jesus Prayers every day began.

The western Rosary is sometimes said to have the same initial origin.

The invention of the prayer rope is attributed to Saint Pachomius in the fourth century as an aid for illiterate monks to accomplish a consistent number of prayers and prostrations in their cells. Previously, monks would count their prayers by casting pebbles into a bowl, but this was cumbersome, and could not be easily carried about when outside the cell. The use of the rope made it possible to pray the Jesus Prayer unceasingly, whether inside the cell or out, in accordance with Saint Paul's injunction to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).

Answer 3

No, it;s not used for praying really. It is given as a blessing from monasteries etc., so they wear it like a blessing.