I’d make a particularly bad monk, but John Najarian gave me a copy of Corine Ware’s Saint Benedict on the Freeway, and after reading it I came up with this adaptation that seems to fit my life. I don’t follow it every day, I think that rule following isn’t the point and neither is guilt much help. But I am increasing in my practice.
Vigils—I don’t set the alarm clock for the middle of the night to get up and pray, but like many of us my sleep is interrupted, sometimes by anxiety and sometimes by a bladder and prostate. That call in the middle of the night is a perfect time for Centering Prayer, and after 10 minutes I often find that the illusive sleep returns. If you’re sleeping soundly, just let this pass by and give thanks in the morning for the rest.
Lauds—Awakening. Because stuff happens fast in the morning, the pause is necessarily brief, and I find that reciting something that I have memorized sets the tone for the day. I ask God’s presence in the day using the Francis Prayer: “Lord make me an instrument of your peace….”
Prime—At the beginning of the work day, duty day, calendar driven day. Reflect and pray today’s calendar, asking God’s guidance for the interactions you are to have today. (For folks who work second or third shifts, Prime does not have to occur in the morning. It fits whenever in the day clock and calendar begin to dictate how time is to be spent.)
Terce—Coffee break, any break. I try a breath prayer. Gotta breathe anyway, may as well make it meaningful.
“Try a breath prayer…gotta breathe anyway, may as well make it meaningful.”
Sext—Lunch. A fictional meal for some, a Cup ‘O Noodles or a grabbed something. You may or may not have much control over creating a pause, but there should be one for many reasons. I try to pray for the world.
None—Mid afternoon. I try another breathing prayer. If it doesn’t work mid afternoon, move this observance to the end of the duty day.
Vespers and Compline—End of the day. These are the hard ones for me, partly because these times are often unscheduled, and I find it hard to create a routine. Traditionally, Vespers was the time of Sunset, eventide. But our days don’t punctuate that way any more. And even the coming of night feels different in summer and winter. I love the Jazz Vespers service at Claremont Pres. but it’s difficult for me to create a daily experience.
Traditionally, Compline was prayer before sleep. I find this easier to keep.
Join us online on Friday mornings @ 8 for 25 minutes of silent meditation. Register for the online chapel here or send me a message at charlestaylorkerchner@gmail.com and I’ll see that you are registered.
Photo: October morning in Eastern Washington, 2018 by CTK