A brother is meant to find and enjoy a deep friendship with his Lord. This happens primarily through intimate one-on-one contact. Prayer for us is an “aspiration of the heart…a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy” [St. Terese of Lisieux]. We strive to bring all the important things of our life into prayer, and to find there the way to life. Wherever we find ourselves on the ladder of prayer, we hold onto the simple promise: Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest!
"We will consecrate the main events of the day and acknowledge the gifts of the Lord by giving thanks for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father (cf. Eph. 5:20, I Tim 4:4). Each Brother will in addition spend time with his Lord personally in prayer and, as he is free, return to the praise of God and meditation on his Word, because the love of the Lord is better than life (cf. Ps. 63.3). We will let the word of God dwell in us and shape our prayer (cf. Col. 3:16) and we will give the Spirit of God freedom to inspire worship within us." (Ideal, §59)
In Meditation, a Brother converts his heart more deeply by immersing it in scripture and the things of God. He hears His Lord speak and responds with acts of the will.
In Contemplation, he “looses himself” in the Lord. The things of God and the reality of His love bring us toward union with Him and the desire for heaven.
In Spiritual Reading and Study a Brother forms his mind. We want to take on the mind of Christ and so search out the wisdom of the Church through Scripture, holy works, and saint biographies. These add a richness to our daily life and foster our prayer.
