How does a Monk Know What to Pray for?

[Ramalama]

This might sound silly, but I’m honestly curious. I’m somewhat drawn to a life of prayer and wonder how one decides what to pray for.

In a monastery, do the monks just pray for what they like? It would seem there must be some leadership that says things like, today we’re praying for those oppressed by war, tomorrow for HIV/AIDS patients, etc.

Does anyone know how this works? Are there organizations of lay people that do this?

Thanks in advance from a very new Catholic.

 

[jmcrae]

This might sound silly, but I’m honestly curious. I’m somewhat drawn to a life of prayer and wonder how one decides what to pray for.

In a monastery, do the monks just pray for what they like? It would seem there must be some leadership that says things like, today we’re praying for those oppressed by war, tomorrow for HIV/AIDS patients, etc.

Does anyone know how this works? Are there organizations of lay people that do this?

Thanks in advance from a very new Catholic.

As I understand it, they communicate with Jesus as with a friend, without necessarily always asking for stuff. At the same time, if someone asked for prayer for something specific, I’m sure they would gladly pray for that person’s intentions.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

This might sound silly, but I’m honestly curious. I’m somewhat drawn to a life of prayer and wonder how one decides what to pray for.

In a monastery, do the monks just pray for what they like? It would seem there must be some leadership that says things like, today we’re praying for those oppressed by war, tomorrow for HIV/AIDS patients, etc.

Does anyone know how this works? Are there organizations of lay people that do this?

Thanks in advance from a very new Catholic.

Monasteries have different formation for novices, but all center on contemplative prayer. Cistercians and Benedictines, begin with teaching novices Lectio Divina and meditation. Their daily routine is conducive toward prayer. They are detached from the world and focus totally on a life of prayer. They have a novice master who watches their spiritual development, and will provide counseling throughout the process.

Here’s a link to the Trappist, at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA, who I’m most familiar with.

spencerabbey.org/

In Christ
Jim

 

[Miserissima]

Cloistered nuns also seem to have the same roles…

Not only working toward the cleansing and perfection of their own souls and personal communication with God,

they work to apply their sacrefices / penances / celebrations of the Eucharist (in keeping with their particular charism)

to apply the whole church (through their redemptive suffering, granting graces on our behalf while uniting themselves to the Passion throughout the Liturgical Season)

And these graces given are **even for you and me! **

• Mis

 

[wjp984]

I went with some people from my Newman Center to visit a monestary for a weekend once. They have a prayer request basket or something for anyone who visits to ask for prayers.

 

[mangy_dog]

This might sound silly, but I’m honestly curious. I’m somewhat drawn to a life of prayer and wonder how one decides what to pray for.

In a monastery, do the monks just pray for what they like? It would seem there must be some leadership that says things like, today we’re praying for those oppressed by war, tomorrow for HIV/AIDS patients, etc.

Does anyone know how this works? Are there organizations of lay people that do this?

Thanks in advance from a very new Catholic.

Their prayers are for the intentions of the universal church, which is to say the prayers and petitions of the daily mass.
You are correct that some of their prayers are from people who ask them to pray for them or their communities etc.
CNN and local news is another source for them to direct their prayers - they are not blissfully ignorant of world and local events.

On a personal note, I often times pray for specific family members or family and community matters. But at times I simply pray and ask God to take my prayer, my fasting and/or my sacrafices and use them wherever He feels they may be needed.
When we open up to contemplation, all sorts of graces are shed on us and everyone near and dear to us… even souls in purgatory.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum