Pray and work. Ora et labora. That’s the motto of the Benedictines going back to the time of their founder, Benedict of Nursia (480-547). You pray, you work.
I guess it’s been on my mind because my younger son, Timothy, has been spending time with the Benedictines at Holy Cross, up the Hudson River. He’s enjoying his time with the good brothers, praying with them, reading, helping out at the monastery, learning. Praying and working.
Here at Guideposts, where we hardly labor in monastic silence, we manage to combine both. Our prayer cells are cubicles; instead of missals, we have our computers linking us to writers, editors and manuscripts, keeping us busy with all the articles and books we produce.
So how do we keep prayer a part of our busy days? One thing: We share prayer needs as they come in. When we hear from readers or friends who ask for prayer, we forward the requests. And we keep one another posted on what’s going on with our families.
Last week Stephanie Samoy (left), managing editor for Books and Inspirational Media, had us all praying for her father, who just had a triple bypass surgery. He came through with flying colors. For that we gave thanks. He’s home and soon will be doing cardiac rehab. Lots more to pray for.
On Mondays we gather to pray for some of the requests that come to OurPrayer. We also share some of our own concerns, big and little. Diana Aydin (right), associate editor at Mysterious Ways magazine, asked us to pray for the Starbucks barista who makes her coffee every morning.
“She’s so rude. Not friendly at all. So today I thought, instead of getting irritated, maybe I should pray for her. Maybe she’s got some problems I don’t know about.”
We’ve added her to our prayer list. Nothing’s too small. Pray and work. Ora et labora. It’s a good balance. The right one for the office… even if it isn’t a monastery.
