Saint Benedict's Prayer Book for Beginners

Saint Benedict's Prayer Book for Beginners
Author: Ampleforth Abbey Press
Publisher: Gracewing Publishing
Total Pages: 198
Release: 1994-01-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780852442586

Some may think that the point of prayer is to get our own way with extra-terrestrial help, or to save us from facing the problems of life, or to provide an escape from 'reality', or to give an emotional uplift that makes you feel food. Some may think that prayer is a way of expanding our consciousness which is achieved by our own discipline and personal effort at self-improvement. These are caricatures of what Christian prayer really is. There may be a strand of truth in some of them, but they miss the real point of prayer.

Praying with Benedict

Praying with Benedict
Author: Korneel Vermeiren
Publisher: Cistercian Publications Books
Total Pages: 148
Release: 1999
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

Praying with Benedict explores the spirituality of the monastic tradition and draws out the essence of a way of praying that embraces the whole of the Christian's life. Korneel Vermeiren begins by examining the spirituality of the early monastic tradition from the fourth to the sixth centuries. He looks at the central place of prayer in the Rule of St Benedict and the tradition of continuous prayer, exploring the teaching of such formative figures as Basil the Great. He then reflects on the Benedictine precept: 'nothing is to be preferred to the work of God'. Praying with Benedict looks in practical terms at the how, when, and where of prayer; at bodily postures, various types of prayer, and the importance of emotional and spiritual readiness. Finally, the place of the Eucharist in the life of prayer is discussed with reference to Benedict's teaching and the Eucharistic practices of pre-Benedictine monasticism. This book offers a clear presentation of monastic spirituality and opens it to persons outside monastery walls. It links St Benedict's teaching to earlier spiritual traditions and shows how various elements of monastic life complement each other. Common prayer, reading, personal prayer, and the Eucharist are not isolated from one another or from daily life, but are integral and essential elements of living in the spirit of St Benedict.

Praying with Benedict

Praying with Benedict
Author: Katherine Howard
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 1997-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780932085955

The way of life taught by Benedict provides, not only for monastics but for all of us, a simple framework for growing in relationship with God. The spirituality of the Rule of Benedict addresses in a timeless way the desire for integrating work and prayer, hospitality and solitude, community and silence. In a world desperately seeking to find its balance, people have rediscovered Benedict's wisdom. It is as relevant now as it always has been. T o pray with Benedict is to listen and respond with the ear of [our] heart to God's word, allowing the transforming power of God's love in the Spirit of Christ to make us loving women and men.

Praying with Saint Benedict

Praying with Saint Benedict
Author: Stephen Isaacson
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2021-11-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 164065447X

The Rule of St. Benedict offers a rich opportunity to explore a grounded devotional practice, and this book’s fresh perspective will bring the Rule into your daily life. Praying with Saint Benedict was written for the thousands of lay Christians who are drawn to the Rule of St. Benedict and desire to incorporate it into their daily devotional practice. Those who study the Rule aspire to apply the Benedictine values of community, hospitality, humility, simplicity, and prayer in their daily lives. This unique book incorporates the passage of scripture that Benedict cites, three contemplation questions that facilitate lectio divina, and a concluding prayer. Unlike other commentaries on the Rule, the reflections here tend not to be historical or theological, but rather present personal, relatable thoughts and applications.

Praying Constantly

Praying Constantly
Author: Benedict Groeschel
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2010-09-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1612781403

Just what did the Apostle Paul mean when he said, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17)? In this perceptive and timely book, celebrated spiritual teacher Benedict Groeschel demonstrates how the combination of grace with enduring Christian truths and practices will enable you to experience a deep, rewarding prayer life that in effect premeates everything you do. But Groeschel is not implying everyone should join a monastery. In fact, he points out that half of the communication equation has already been solved by ordinary Christians. God, who created humans in His image, is constantly trying to get in touch with us. He uses the gift of our senses, the beauty of creation, and the riches of music, art, and literature as a kind of celestial "call-waiting" system. The challenge confronting us is to "answer the call" by cultivating an awareness of God's loving presence. The foundation for doing so is to establish and maintain a schedule of daily prayer, thereby creating a framework for communication with God. In addition, the Church offers a lavish variety of resources to support our personal efforts, from daily Mass attendance, to praying the Rosary, to engaging in the ancient practice of lectio divina. As we let God touch our spirits, we will begin to practice contemplation, a prerequisite for regarding everything in our lives as spiritual exercises. This remarkable book uses the testimonies of Scripture and of the lives of saints through the ages to show how you can make your words and actions a river of unceasing prayer.

A School of Prayer

A School of Prayer
Author: Pope Benedict XVI
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2013-01-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1681490218

The Complete Edition Prayer is essential to the life of faith. In this superb book, based on Pope Benedict's weekly teaching, he examines the foundational principles of the life of prayer. Believers of various backgrounds and experience in prayer-from beginners to spiritually advanced-will be enriched by this spiritual masterpiece. Benedict begins considering what we can learn from the examples of prayer found in a wide range of cultures and eras. Next, he turns to the Bible's teaching about prayer, beginning with Abraham and moving though Moses, the prophets, the Psalms to the example of Jesus. With Jesus Christ, Pope Benedict considers not only the Lord's teaching about prayer, but also his example of how to pray, including the Our Father, his prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and prayers on the Cross. The prayers of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the early Church are also explored. Benedict also draws on insights from spiritual masters, the saints, and the Church's liturgy. He challenges readers to live their relationships with God "even more intensely, as it were, at a ಘschool of prayer'." Although Benedict provides a sweeping survey of great figures of prayer, his discussion centers on Jesus Christ and even invokes him in the study of prayer. "It is in fact in Jesus," writes Benedict, "that man becomes able to approach God in the depth and intimacy of the relationship of fatherhood and sonship. Together with the first disciples, let us now turn with humble trust to the Teacher and ask him: ಘLord, teach us to pray' (Lk 11:1)."

Listening at Prayer

Listening at Prayer
Author: Benedict J. Groeschel
Publisher: Paulist Press
Total Pages: 100
Release: 1984
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780809125821

Supplements a reproduction of the laws governing ocean navigation with exercises that clarify and review the basic principles.

The Work of God

The Work of God
Author: Judith Sutera
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Total Pages: 254
Release: 1997
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780814624319

people beyond those who dwell in monasteries. For those looking for an everyday grounding in Benedictine spirituality and who wish to pray according to the Benedictine style of liturgy of the hours, "The Work of God" is an ideal resource. Beautifully bound with gilt-edged pages and one ribbon marker, it is a handsome addition to any book shelf.

Life and Miracles of St. Benedict

Life and Miracles of St. Benedict
Author: Pope Gregory I
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Total Pages: 108
Release: 1949-03
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780814603215

A translation of the biography written by Pope Gregory the Great, this official biography is also known as the Second Book of Dialogues. It is the earliest and thus the most valuable biography of St. Benedict.