everyday monastery

Last week I went to Burford Priory on a retreat for the first time ever. Burford is a Benedictine monastery where guests are invited to join the community for their services and meals eaten in silence. It is a beautiful place and I found it challenging to spend four days hardly talking to anyone. Coming back home I have wondered how I can maintain some of the rhythm of prayer that I found so helpful. I realised that I had got into really bad patterns of work - submitting to the tyranny of email and allowing myself to be easily distracted. Since I got back I have found it helpful to light a candle to define my working space - when I look at the flame it reminds me to focus! And I've tried praying at the beginning, middle and end of each day. Today I'm using this prayer adapted from one by David Adam

Father
in the awareness of your presence
beneath the shadow of your wings
in the closeness of your love
may I work and abide

Jesus
in the fellowship of your saints
in the communion of the faithful
in the church called to mission
may I work and abide

Spirit
in the power of your love
in the fulness of your gifts
in the guidance of your wisdom
may I work and abide

Comments

[Jan Glorieux]

Just discovered your blog. I am interested in similar things. Especially monasticism.
Just discovered Burford in fact, thanks to a Brasilian osb oblate. Sseems quite an interesting - and new - initiative, although there is (was) Turvey Abbey, Olivetan, where the abbeys are adjacent and where men and women pray together.
Your bog seems interesting but I just had a quick look. I'll be back.
Kind regards from Belgium and a peaceful new year filled with faith, hope and love !