The rain is coming down this evening, and I am enjoying the otherwise quiet afternoon. I turned off the TV several hours ago, and have been studying. Beside me on my desk are some of my most important spiritual guides: The Bible, the Book of Common Prayer and the Rule of St Benedict. I spend time in each one every week, and each one shapes my spiritual life. As I write this, I am reminded of the thin line between work and prayer.
When I think of my spiritual walk, I think most of all of silence. I work in a library and live alone. This affords me a significant amount of time in relative silence. This silence is not just the absence of noise. It is not the absence of anything. At its richest, it is filled with the presence of God. It is not the absence of talk either. It is the prayer of the heart reaching to God, and listening for His voice in return. The great thing is that this silence does not have to end when I leave the house or the library. It can be present in the midst of an otherwise chaotic day. I have heard others speak of the monastery of the heart.
Prayer has become an important part of my spiritual life. With the help of the Book of Common Prayer, and other supplements, I am endeavoring to keep appointments to meet with God. In between these times, I am learning to work in a spirit of prayer, to practice the presence of God. Some days I do well, going nearly the entire day in prayer. Others I struggle with distractions. I am always reminded that I am a beginner in learning to pray.
