Over the centuries various things have been used as prayer beads-which are simply a way to keep track of your prayers. Ancient monastic groups tied knots in cords or ropes as a way to count their prayers. Gradually the practice became more widespread and, of course, people wanted something nicer looking than a raggedy rope, so rosaries were made from beads of wood and crystal and metal, etc.In fact, the word rosary comes from the fact that some early beads were actually made from roses.
There are many kinds of rosaries available now-from what we think of as the 'traditional' rosary that looks rather like a necklace. Prayers on this type of rosary often follow the standard form of: repeated sequences of the Lord's
Prayer followed by ten repetitions of the Hail Mary and a single praying of
"Glory Be to the Father;" each of these sequences is known as a decade.
The praying of each decade is accompanied by meditation on one of the Mysteries
of the Rosary (there are 15 mysteries), which recall the life of Jesus Christ.
There are Finger Rosaries, which are a circle of 10 beads or knobs making up one decade and often worn on your finger where you turn it around as you say the prayers. A Pocket rosary is another form, that has 10 beads in a line rather than a circle.
There are also Anglican prayer beads, which are used by many denominations (not just Anglicans). According to Wikipedia, "Anglican prayer bead sets consist of thirty-three beads
divided into groups. There are four groups consisting of seven beads with
additional separate and larger beads separating the groups. The number
thirty-three signifies the number of years that Christ lived on the Earth,
while the number seven signifies wholeness or completion in the faith, the days
of creation, and the seasons of the Church year." There are numerous ways to pray with Anglican prayer beads. Here is one:
The Cross
In the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Invitatory
O God make speed to save me (us),
O Lord make haste to help me (us),
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Cruciforms
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon me (us).
The Weeks
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
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.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Cross
I bless the Lord.
(Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God.)