Reviving Ancient Traditions: Why Liturgy Isn’t Just Your Grandma’s Church
Let’s be real: TikTok, 24/7 news cycles, and hustle culture have left many of us spiritually drained. We’re craving something deeper than Instagram devotionals or microwave sermons. Enter liturgy—the ancient rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and ritual that millennials and Gen Z are weirdly obsessed with these days. (Yes, the same folks who binge Netflix and order avocado toast.)
Here’s why dusty old traditions are suddenly trending—and how they might just reboot your faith.
What’s the Big Deal About Liturgy?
Liturgy isn’t about chanting in Latin or memorizing dusty hymns (though that’s cool too). It’s about habit. Think of it like a spiritual playlist: repeating prayers, Scriptures, and rituals that rewire your heart over time. Jesus did this (cough Lord’s Prayer cough), the early church did this, and honestly? Your soul might need it more than you think.
3 Reasons Liturgy Is Perfect for 2024
1. It Slaps “Pause” on Burnout Culture
Between work Zooms and doomscrolling, our brains are fried. Liturgical rhythms—like fixed-hour prayer (pausing to pray at 9 AM, noon, 3 PM)—force us to breathe. It’s like God’s version of a mindfulness app.
2. You’re Not Alone (Even If You Feel Like It)
Liturgy connects you to a 2,000-year-old fan club of believers. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer or take Communion, you’re joining Catholics in Rome, Orthodox folks in Greece, and that hipster Anglican church down the street. Talk about squad goals.
3. It’s Anti-AI
In a world of ChatGPT and deepfakes, liturgy keeps it real. You can’t automate repentance or outsource gratitude. Touching a cross, lighting a candle—these tangible acts ground us when life feels virtual.
“But Isn’t Liturgy… Boring?”
Fair question! Liturgy isn’t about entertainment—it’s about training, not performing. You don’t call push-ups “boring” when they’re building muscle, right? Same idea.
Try this: Start small. Add one ancient habit to your routine:
- Pray the Examen (a 5-minute reflection on your day) before bed.
- Observe Lent next year—give up TikTok, take up gratitude journaling.
- Sing a hymn instead of your shower playlist (bonus points for dramatic vibrato).
Liturgy Hacks for Skeptics
For the “I’m too busy” crowd:
- Pray while you scroll. Swap 2 minutes of Instagram with the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.”
- Mealtime liturgy: Thank God out loud for your tacos. Yes, even if your roommate side-eyes you.
For the “This feels weird” folks:
- Grab a liturgy-lite resource like Every Moment Holy (it’s got prayers for Uber rides and existential crises).
- Join a Taizé service—think ambient music, candlelight, and zero pressure.
Why Your Soul Might Be Thirsty for Tradition
We’re drowning in trends, but the early church survived Roman chaos with liturgy. Maybe it’s time to steal their playbook. After all, Jesus didn’t say, “Go viral.” He said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
🔥 Challenge: Try one liturgical practice this week. Light a candle during prayer. Read a Psalm out loud. Then DM us (@YourChurchName) and tell us if it felt awkward, peaceful, or kinda both.
P.S. Hate liturgy? You do you! But if you’ve ever muttered, “Why does faith feel so shallow?”—this might be your answer.
I like the liturgy at Peace. I come from Catholic roots so I’m comfortable with it – its different, but so much is the same. As I get older, my view on it changes and I see it from new perspectives. I question more but I still see the value. I smile when we rip out a lively version of one of Martin Luther’s hymnal greatest hits.
Well, its getting late. Time for a shower and bed – and maybe an emphatic rendition of “Onward Christian Soldiers” under the hot spray? Yes, and Sue and I still say grace (out loud) before eating our tacos.