As a child, I was continually perplexed by St. Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonians, “pray without ceasing.”[1] When I considered that teaching, I immediately began rationalizing and excusing myself by claiming it impossible. I confess my limited faith. However, St. Benedict urges us who are vowed to pursue God through the pathway of Benedict that we pray continually. Benedict’s example of a Rule of Life is possible only through a Life of Prayer. Just as our bodies are sustain by physical food and exercise, our minds are sustained with study and communion with others, so our spirits are sustained by communion with other faithful believers and with God. Prayer is the language of communion with God, both spoken to Him and being still before Him to know Him as God.[2] St. Gregory wrote that Benedict’s Rule provides understanding of life through discipline. He maintained that The Rule was taught from Benedict’s personal practice.[3]
Benedict offers a living rhythm of prayer. The monastic rhythm began with Lauds, said very early in the morning. In the fifth and sixth centuries, the Office of the Lauds was gradually incorporated into the early morning hour of Matins. Matins offers opportunity to adore the Holy Trinity in thanksgiving for the Resurrection of our Lord.[4] The prayers, antiphons, Psalms, and lessons from Holy Scripture lead the worshipper toward worship of God; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Each of the seven liturgies of prayer are intentional in their worship. Lauds was discussed, likewise Prime, is prayed as the morning sun fully illuminates God’s world (9am) and intended to worship the Incarnation of the Christ Jesus and encourage worshippers to offer themselves wholly to God.[5] Terce is prayed around noon either aloud or in solitude to revere the Holy Spirit as Comforter and the Spirit of Unity in the Church.[6] Sext then follows around 3pm to worship Christ for his public ministry and encourage us to share our faith to others.[7] Late in the afternoon, or early evening (from 3 to 6 pm) the community gathers for None (pronounce to rhyme with bone) to adore the Passion of Christ and His death, to pray for the sick and dying. The sixth gathering for prayer is Vespers (or Evensong) from 6 to 9pm. This evening prayer recalls our Lord as He was taken down from the cross. This is may accompany Eucharist. It is a time to pray for spiritual leaders, religious orders, and all disciples of Christ. Finally, as the day closes, Compline (pronounced COM-plinn) is prayed at a time between 9pm and midnight. This prayer worships Christ as He was placed in the grave, as well as prayer for the faithful departed and our rest through the night. Thus, we pray, “The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.
Seven prayers may appear overwhelming as one begins to walk according to this Rule of Life. We must be constantly reminded that St. Benedict offered a regula or a measuring stick to gauge our journey, rather than a rubric to grade our faithfulness. Therefore, we start where we are; perhaps with simple prayers of “good morning” and “good night.” You may set timers to just pause throughout the day to remember – (1) God in His Trinity is perfect relationship and Christ is risen! (2) Jesus in the Incarnation of God, Immanuel, God with us! (3) The Comforter, The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Unity. (4) Jesus shared the Gospel and we share His Good News to others. (5) The Passion of Christ calls us to pray for the hurting, sick, and dying. (6) Recalling our Lord as he was taken down from the cross, we pray for spiritual leaders, religious orders, and all disciples of Christ. (7) Considering Jesus as He was laid in the grave before His glorious resurrection, we pray for the departed and rest for ourselves. Through this rhythm of prayer, we abide in the story of Christ Jesus’ earthly ministry.
As we incorporate prayer into our daily ritual, prayer begins to seep in to our spirit; strengthening, rejoicing, and teaching us of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our spirits are formed through prayers, psalms, and the Word. Gradually, prayers are no longer external tasks that burden us. Prayers abide in us, pervading our lives as much as the air in our lungs feeds oxygen throughout our bodies.[8] As the old hymn invites to that Sweet Hour of Prayer.
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[1] 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[2] Psalms 46:10.
[3] Gregory, Odo John Zimmermann, and Benedict Raymund Avery. Life and miracles of St. Benedict: book two of the Dialogues. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980. pg. 123.
[4] An Anglican Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, Abridged Edition. pg. 19.
[5] _____, pg. 30.
[6] _____, pg. 33.
[7] _____, pg. 37.
[8] John 15:4-5.
