Tag: prayer
Youth and the thirst for water
Thirst, water and life When I was young, I was petty much thirsty all of the time. Running and playing and yes fighting and sweating makes for a thirsty boy. When I was a young monk and used to work in the garden at the hottest times of the day, I would always be thirsty… Read More ›
The struggle with self
It is a true honor to meet the many people who come to the Monastery to make a retreat and to be able to share and learn from them. I have yet to meet a man or a woman who is not going through some sort of deep interior struggle. Some may not always know… Read More ›
Our inner world and prayer and trust in God
Prayer opens up many doors to our inner perception. When we seek to grow in love of God and do not just pray to get something from God, the good fruit can at times have a bitter taste to it. Yet we must experience the bitter along with the sweet on our inner journey towards… Read More ›
A lesson in powerlessness and letting go
Six weeks ago I was talking to a long time friend. He is in AA, has been for many years, and yet still struggles. Perhaps one reason I respect the 12 steps is not because of those who succeed, though it is part of it of course. No, the main reason is because of those… Read More ›
A Mocking Bird’s lonely song
What is considered early in the morning will vary from person to person and place to place. Since we have our Vigil’s at 4 AM, after being here for a few years, that time seems like 6 AM. I am lucky I love the morning hours so when I sometimes wake up at 1:30 and… Read More ›
Prayer and self knowledge
Self-knowledge does not always bring with it understanding. We can know something about ourselves, even the root of the issue, yet still not know what to do about it, if anything, to get rid of it. Prayer when thought about by many people, think about if it really works or not. If prayers or answered… Read More ›
The prayer of longing: The Chaplet of Mercy
I like to in the summer months go for a slow walk after Compline. I guess it takes about 40 minutes or so. It is beautiful time of the day and it helps me to let go of the stress of the day before I go to bed. I have written a number of times… Read More ›
The fruit of prayer and struggle for healing
Prayer is a great help towards healing. If prayer leads us to a simple regard for the presence of God, our inner struggles and wounds become more apparent, and often more painful, because they will repeatedly disrupt our inner seeking of God’s loving presence. Self knowledge that comes through prayer is usually a difficult process,… Read More ›
The man with the prayer-shawl
Compline is our last prayer service (or divine office) of the day. It is at 7:30 and probably the most beautiful of our services. We pray the same prayers for Compline every night, so during the time of the year when the days are shorter it is sung in the dark. It is also for… Read More ›
June 6: D-Day Prayer
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need… Read More ›