A community to pray the Lord's Prayer?

[Sancta_Rosa]

For quite some time the Lord’s Prayer had become lackluster on my tongue and I didn’t have much regard for it. Or at least until a spiritual director put me on a ‘prayer diet’ where one of the three prayers I was permitted to recite was the Lord’s Prayer.
The moment in which the Lord’s Prayer became like a flame on my tongue and my heart near burst from joy is a memory I shall ever treasure. As I obediently stuck to my diet which I resented prayer was at first a trial, then as I have said the moment came when the prayer Our Lord+ taught us awoke in me like a new wrought thing I had come to see for the very first time.
Since that time it is my delight to sing aloud the Lord’s Prayer as I work and go about my day. It is beautiful and a joy to dwell upon during my contemplative prayer time and its depth and richness is beyond measure.

During Advent my thoughts have been turned towards the founding of a new community or congregation for whom the Lord’s Prayer would be their primary prayer and greatest treasure. In early monastic times unlettered Brothers who could not pray the Psalter would pray the Lord’s Prayer 150 times instead. I have never kept count of how often I say or sing the Lord’s Prayer during the course of the day, but the thought of such a simple form of prayer has touched my heart. For myself as a hermit simplicity lies at the heart of my daily life and with Our Lord’s help hopefully everything I do.
As is very much the thing these days I have a blog where I have set down my thoughts about all of this…

ladyofsorrows.viviti.com/

I would very much value your thoughts, critique and prayers concerning such a possible community.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

Names are important and because of this I have being praying and struggling a little over how best to name this community I keep within my heart. My vision is that of Matthew 18:20, of two or three gathering together for intimate prayer.
Last night during my prayer time the thought came to me that it should be a ‘little company’ rather than a ‘congregation’ and that the brothers and sisters in Christ+ who love the Lord’s Prayer should dwell within ordinary communities in ones and twos and threes rather than in a larger companionship.

The name I have decided upon with the aid of the Holy Spirit+ is the ‘Little Company of the Adorers of the Prayer of Christ’ . My thanks to those who have being praying for me as draw out this vision I have been gifted by the grace of God+.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

This morning as i prepare to go to Mass the word ‘simplicity’ has been laid upon my heart. In all things simplicity and this should also extend to prayer. I have a copy of the Divine Office, but the word in my heart still tells me ‘simplicity’ and to pray with but the prayers I hold and treasure within my memory. The Lord’s Prayer, Ave Maria and the Glory Be.

Please pray for me as I seek to do Our Lord’s will.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

Simplicity in prayer is still the treasure that has been placed upon my heart. In this New Year I ask you all to love God+ with the simple delight of a small child and to trust in him always.

 

[Highwayhound]

This is interesting. I have never heard of a “prayer diet”.

What details of this community have you developed or is it still in its infancy?

I think it is great that you found a way to connect with God through the Our Father.

God bless

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

A ‘prayer diet’ is my own way of expressing my particular situation. I had been dashing about every day praying the Divine Office, my Affiliate of the LCM’s prayers for those at the point of death, Rosary and the Stations of the Cross and had got myself into such a state of trying to be so absolutely devout that I was losing track of why I was actually praying. After all that being told to only pray the Lord’s Prayer, the ‘Jesus Prayer’ and the 23rd Psalm and nothing else I really did feel as if I had been put on a diet. The truth was of course was that I had yet to learn that prayer must alway arise from the heart and that a sheer volume of words no matter how eloquent do not make for good prayer if they are being rushed to beat the clock.

The community I have proposed is in its infancy, - possibly still a neonate! - and there is much that I’m still praying about and discerning so I can’t give you very much detail at all as yet. However praying for me certainly would be really helpful and if you feel drawn to study and pray the Lord’s prayer more deeply that would be good too.

 

[TiggerS]

The Lord’s Prayer is a whole way of life and rule of life - inexhaustible in richness.

TS

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

The Lord’s Prayer is a whole way of life and rule of life - inexhaustible in richness.

TS

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

Prayer must not be wordy repetition that touches only the tongue the lips and the mouth leaving the brain dozing and the heart cold within one’s breast.
Prayer must arise from the heart as if your Beloved is before your eyes and with your entire soul and being you want to tell them of your love.

And I know I’m as guilty of this as anyone, permitting my mind to wander while familiar words are said with no more care than if a telephone book was being read aloud. And is it prayer to fumble through the pages of a prayer book with most of one’s thoughts upon a pressing appointment and say the words upon the page merely to obtain an indulgence? And a HDO? done because one ‘must’ and not for love?

Love is the Law. Love your God with all your heart and all your mind, and Love your neighbour as yourself.

 

[Eagle75]

I can think of no more powerful prayer within all the Church. Within it can be found everything. We praise and honor God first among all things. We then ask for just those things we need and then for God’s forgiveness. And ending we ask for His protection. And as if this most perfect of prayers needed anything else going for it, it was given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Sancta Rosa, I urge you to continue to pray over this and keep your heart open to God’s will. I personally am thrilled by the thought of this and hope that you continue to keep us updated. May God Bless this enterprise.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

Oh there’s no risk that I’m going to give up on this. At present the Lord’s Prayer fills my thoughts and my silent meditation times, I sing it aloud while working about the cottage, I spend most of my study time reading about it and I offer it up in my prayers. As this ‘project’ progresses I will indeed post updates, but as with everything it will happen in God’s time even if I might want it all to happen tomorrow

[SIGN]Prayer changes lives.[/SIGN]

 

[puzzleannie]

the Our Father contains the entire Gospel and the entire doctrine and the Holy Rule of our Father Benedicct within it. the last section of the CCC is a masterpiece on prayer and the Our Father.

I hope you idea comes to fruition

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

the Our Father contains the entire Gospel and the entire doctrine and the Holy Rule of our Father Benedicct within it. the last section of the CCC is a masterpiece on prayer and the Our Father.

I hope you idea comes to fruition

Thank you

Here I am amongst all kinds of study material and notes on the Lord’s Prayer written by the Church Fathers and I clean forget to take the CCC down off my bookshelf and read that last section.

The words of Thomas A’ Kempis have been rolling about in my head this morning, -
‘Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search into things too high.
Faith is required at your hands, and a sincere life: not height of understanding, nor deep enquiry into the mysteries of God+.’

In other words I should be simply getting on with it and leave off amateur delving into linguistic archaeology.

 

[QuickCat]

For quite some time the Lord’s Prayer had become lackluster on my tongue and I didn’t have much regard for it. Or at least until a spiritual director put me on a ‘prayer diet’ where one of the three prayers I was permitted to recite was the Lord’s Prayer.
The moment in which the Lord’s Prayer became like a flame on my tongue and my heart near burst from joy is a memory I shall ever treasure. As I obediently stuck to my diet which I resented prayer was at first a trial, then as I have said the moment came when the prayer Our Lord+ taught us awoke in me like a new wrought thing I had come to see for the very first time.
Since that time it is my delight to sing aloud the Lord’s Prayer as I work and go about my day. It is beautiful and a joy to dwell upon during my contemplative prayer time and its depth and richness is beyond measure.

During Advent my thoughts have been turned towards the founding of a new community or congregation for whom the Lord’s Prayer would be their primary prayer and greatest treasure. In early monastic times unlettered Brothers who could not pray the Psalter would pray the Lord’s Prayer 150 times instead. I have never kept count of how often I say or sing the Lord’s Prayer during the course of the day, but the thought of such a simple form of prayer has touched my heart. For myself as a hermit simplicity lies at the heart of my daily life and with Our Lord’s help hopefully everything I do.
As is very much the thing these days I have a blog where I have set down my thoughts about all of this…

ladyofsorrows.viviti.com/

I would very much value your thoughts, critique and prayers concerning such a possible community.

I assume that you are calling the prayer of Matthew 6:9-15 the “Lord’s prayer.” Notice what our Lord told these Jews prior to this prayer: vs 7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do; FOR THEY THINK THEY SHALL BE HEARD FOR THEIR MUCH SPEAKING.” BTW, the “Lord’s prayer” is found in the 17th Chapter of John.

Hope this helps you.

QC

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

I assume that you are calling the prayer of Matthew 6:9-15 the “Lord’s prayer.” Notice what our Lord told these Jews prior to this prayer: vs 7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do; FOR THEY THINK THEY SHALL BE HEARD FOR THEIR MUCH SPEAKING.” BTW, the “Lord’s prayer” is found in the 17th Chapter of John.

Hope this helps you.

QC

Yes I am referring to the Oratio Dominica, the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer gift of Our Lord+ as recorded in Matthew 6:9-15. The ‘Prayer of the Hour of Jesus’ given in John 17 is beautiful and touches my heart, - and would be a whole lifetime’s worth of prayer and praise and meditation and study all on its own. However it is the prayer gift of Christ+ given to us that has captured me and won’t let me go, so I shall leave John 17 to wiser hearts and minds than mine.

Vain repetition? True enough if I was saying it over and over to get brownie points, but I’m not. Most often when I’m singing about the cottage and the garden it is for sheer joy and praise, but sometimes it’s because I’m asking for help and assistance for others. Beneath the familiar words of the prayer I’m offering up silent mental prayer, touching the requests I’m making to my heart and offering them up to God+.
When it comes to prayer I can never put words together right and they only get in the way of what is in my heart. I’m offering up visual images, raw feelings and emotion along with the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer and all I can really say is that it works for me.

In setting out the basic framework of a Rule I was at first considering giving actual numbers for the number of times the Lord’s Prayer should be said at various times during the day, but that is very likely to lead to brownie point repetition rather than true prayer and reflection. Besides I don’t even try to keep count myself and it’s the last thing I’d consider when I’m praying. Praying of the sort where one eye is on the clock and most of one’s attention is on the countdown is NOT good prayer.

 

[TiggerS]

God will always provide for His Works and His Will. Trust in Grace for as St. Therese of Lisieux said “All is Grace”. St. Teresa of Availa, our great saint, mystic and Doctor of The Church wrote that she went many years watching the clock during private prayer time more than actually praying. Life and the spiritual life is a journey and it unfolds and where we may ‘start out’ in anything is not the finishing line. The word “journey” is often used today and, for one, it means that one is in transit from A to X The Unknown. Trust in Grace and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your own concepts. It can be that sometimes someone may say something, you may read something, that really ‘hits home’ in some way and this can be a movement of The Holy Spirit also and through others. I am hoping that you have spiritual direction.
I am all for simplicity in all things personally. The more simple, the more better.
My director has a saying “pray as you can, not as you cannot”.
TS

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

My director has a saying “pray as you can, not as you cannot”.
TS

Now there’s a gem to treasure and keep

And yes I was trying too hard and getting beyond myself in attempting to fathom a foolproof method of prayer. Telling me about St. Therese of Lisieux was exactly what I needed to know which tells me that the Holy Spirit+ is indeed moving and guiding to help me to progress with this project.

Thank you and God+ bless.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

At present I have the Rule of Life half written and I have posted this onto the website. I debated with myself as to whether I should wait until the Rule is complete, but I think it is better to allow those who are interested to see the form it is taking.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

This portion of the Rule which deals with daily life is now completed and I am content with it.

Chapter I. Daily Life:

The men and women who belong to this brotherhood are to dress neatly in plain and simple garments that are of minimal cost and are without logos, embroidery, designer labels or other adornments. Suitable colours are blue or brown, which also includes fawn, tan, beige, sand & etc. Blues may range from a pale sky blue to medium shades of blue, but not as dark as Royal Blue. Cream may be worn, but not white unless attending Sunday Mass or a Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation or a Solemnity.

Clothing should chosen for functional durability and wherever possible cotton fabrics such as denim, drill, light canvas/duck and calico should be chosen as well as woolen fabrics provided they are not of a particularly fine or expensive grade. Synthetics should not be worn for the environmental harm they cause (Unless there is no other choice apart from nakedness!). Silk is always forbidden.

For the sake of penance it is best to purchase and wear second hand clothing. Otherwise wear clothing you have made yourself with your own hands if you have the skill for it (or a kindly Mum who can help you learn).

Do not purchase or wear clothing which is the product of sweatshop labour or is made by manufacturers who exploit the poor. It may not always be either easy or straightforward to determine if a garment is the product of sweated labour, but if in doubt it is best to refuse it. (Which must be done with quiet charity so as not to offend anyone)

Men of this brotherhood are to wear long trousers of a plain and loose fitting style. Denim jeans may be worn provided they are not tight or immodest and they belt at the waist, and any visible designer labels or manufacturers’ logos must be removed. Shorts may not be worn.
Shirts are to button to the base of the throat and sleeves must reach to the wrists.

Women of this brotherhood are to wear long skirts that reach at least to mid-calf. For the sake of penance they may be worn longer to ankle length if desired. The skirt or dress must be of a style that does not need slits cut into the hem to permit natural movement. Trousers, pants, jeans or shorts may not be worn.

Shirts and blouses must button to the throat and should be loose fitting and of a solid colour that is opaque. Sleeves are to button or reach to the wrists.

During waking hours a plain coloured tiechel type headscarf is to be worn covering the hair and for the sake of penance a sister may also cover her hair during sleep if she so chooses. (Cotton is best for headscarves, avoid synthetics as they are hot to wear and they slip)

All: Knitted woollen garments may be worn for additional warmth provided they are plain and are of a single colour. A plain overcoat, topcoat or cape with a hood may be worn in cold weather. Fur garments are not to be worn.

For the sake of penance a brother or sister may wear the simplest style of Franciscan habit provided that it isn’t made from an expensive fabric.

An ‘Orans’ Cross of Byzantine form is to be worn on a cord around the neck during waking hours to remind us always that our charism is founded upon prayer. This cross of about 2inches by 3inches in size should be handmade by the brother or sister themselves and may be of either wood or baked clay.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/...aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/Sacred/cross_713b.jpg
Examples of Byzantine ‘‘Orans’ bronze crosses.’

Footwear should be simple solid and durable with flat heels. Socks and stocking are to be plain and either black or blue in colour. For the sake of penance plain and serviceable sandals may be worn as one’s only footwear, but commonsense should be employed to avoid injury (or frostbite!).

Belts should be unadorned black or brown leather with the plainest of buckles. Unadorned belts made of woven natural cordage are an acceptable substitute.

It should be the aim of all members of the brotherhood to reduce the clothing and shoes they own to the bare minimum necessary to carry out their daily lives. In matters of clothing always be guided by the principles of modesty, poverty, humility, and simplicity.

Jewellery of any kind apart from a wedding ring and the plainest of wristwatches are not to be worn. Makeup is not to be used, though creams and lotions to treat dry, infected or irritated skin are permitted. Hair tints and colour treatments are not to be used. Perfume or scented soaps, lotions, deodorants and shampoos are not to be used. Hair should be worn in the simplest possible style; length is an individual choice and the cutting should be done as needed by one’s own hand with ordinary scissors. Brothers may grow a beard, but it must not be fussily trimmed and groomed.

 

[Sancta_Rosa]

A Simple Lifestyle:

Brothers and sisters should live as simply and inexpensively as possible. All furniture and furnishings should be plain, durable and inexpensive. Ownership of appliances and electronic aids should be kept to an absolute minimum and they should be of the most basic kind necessary to fulfill their function. Watching television should be kept to an absolute minimum and the programmes that are watched must be chosen with care as television is generally incompatible with a life of penance and prayer. It is always best however if a brother or sister does not own a television.

The use of a personal computer and the internet can be of benefit for the purposes of study and research as well as a means of communication with others of like mind; But great care must be taken to ensure that it does not become a distraction that works against a prayerful life.

If a motor vehicle is owned it must be of the most basic kind and it should not ever be purchased new. There is no valid reason for a brother or sister to own more than one motor vehicle. If a motor vehicle becomes a source of distraction to prayer life and threatens personal humility it should be immediately disposed of.

Use of public transport, bicycling and walking are always compatible with a life of penance and prayer.

Money:

All debts must be settled before entering formation. A brother or sister is not permitted to have a credit card or store card or any other instrument for obtaining either money or goods at interest. A debt card that draws upon one’s own funds is acceptable. Overdraft arrangements on a bank account are forbidden.

Wherever possible a basic savings account should held with a Community Credit Union, Friendly Society or similar and not a bank.

It is forbidden to loan money to others at interest. Where a personal savings account generates interest the interest money earned must be given away.

Beware desiring the gain of money for its own sake. Seek opportunities for charity, but always do this with humility and avoid attracting praise from others.

Work:

Work is prayer, therefore if a brother or sister seeks paid employment outside the home they must not work in any sector of employment that is based upon usury or cohabits with usurers (in other words all companies or businesses that loan money at interest, accept credit card transactions or sell goods and services by credit at interest) .

Employment also must not be sought with any company, individual or business that sells goods and services that are founded on sweated labour or any other exploitative, dishonest or abusive practices.

Attendance at functions or events:

Attending any gathering, function or event where there will be immodest or offensive behaviour, or where such behaviour is fostered or promoted is forbidden. This includes movies, parties, plays, shows, concerts & etc.

Avoid all near occasions of sin and strive to set a good example to others.