Prayer as subject: Response to an email posting

This particular struggle of worship, how to approach and address God so one may be personal and intimate with the Creator depends, at least for me, on my need and posture of faith at the time of prayer.

Mondays for me and others is a time for Evening Prayer in the Church. And since I am Episcopalian (an Oblate of New Camaldoli through Charism of Friendship, and more), we use "The Book of Common Prayer." It has rubrics, or directions, for prayer usually followed throughout the world by various Anglicans who are engaged daily in this Work of the Lord. We Oblates are united in Prayer, as Father Robert points out. United with the monks, too, certainly and significantly.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Mondays, I prepare by prayer on my knees. At this particular service, which I lead on Mondays, and sometimes on Thursdays at my Parish, I find that Mondays I look for an informal and special more personal interpretation of kneeling.

So we get permission from the Rector to bend the Rules Mondays, an unusual thing which took some conversation on the why and how. Nonetheless, with his blessing by the Rector, on Monday Evenings only we are allowed to spend more time on our knees than the rubrics really call for, and perhaps even allow.

We stand for the Gospel, and the creeds, but otherwise almost the entire time is spent on our knees. Though this is not the "inspiration" for the start of this practice, I do remember that on my visits to Immaculate Heart Hermitage, the Rosarie is said on one's knees (unusual for Camaldoli, since the usual arrangment is sitting).

Mostly, when in contemplative prayer at home, and even in Church where I have done so, if only briefly, I sit. I find though, that contemplative practice spills over to the usual by the book prayer time in Church. And to go further with this discussion of to kneel or not, I find when listening to the sermon and at times like prayer, sitting or on my knees while Communion is given, I rest in the Lord and the prayers. This is probably the better and more important part for me. As I seek peace and pursue it.

I remember Father Robert saying that when first getting up in the morning, during that half awake, asleep time, pay attention in a meditative way to thoughts etc. I do this at the times just noted when listening to the Sermon, or waiting with others as Communion is taken. So it is on the knees or seated, I find prayer and relation to God in Christ.

It is in a kind of dreamy, meditative, waiting state that I spend this time of "unconscious exploration" prayer time once in a while. If only briefly so.

And as I say, this came from the experience of exploring the time of wakening in the morning. Again, it just came. I did not plan it. I hope it is an all right practice, for I like others look for direction on matters like this, like those of to kneel or sit.

Though not feeling divided on the issue, my general rule when visiting another Church, a not so often thing, but I do attend Saturday Catholic mass with my friend frequently, I do as the others. I follow the community practice. Almost entirely, I do so in my own Parish--of course, I say this.

But you can see, that for me the question arises, as it has for others given the recent postings here. Mostly, though, I find surrender the better of the focus in these matters. And also, I am pretty conventional, or so I think, and not given to various rebellions of kind. Not when it comes to these kind of matters, at least.

Afterall, I am led and taught. I like this. I even seek it. That I am is one reason I became an Oblate.

Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSBMill Valley, CA USA
(north of San Francisco)

Book Review: The Book of Common Prayer, "My carry-with-me copy is this size, and I recommend it for traveling places..."
by Peter Menkin


Here I am daring to comment on this wonderful book, used by Episcopalians and one of the prayer and rubric publications that unite Anglicans worldwide. (There are about 77 million Anglicans in the world, and most have their own "version" of this wonderful and inspired book, though perhaps this specific size of which I write and this specific American version, may not be familiar to them all.)

My copy that is this size, and at a similar good price as this one (take advantage of a good offer, by the way), has been used by me for about ten or so years. It's been a durable book, though worn now and the leather cover warped, despite my treating it from time to time. But then I carry it in my car, and sometimes leave it on the seat where the sun hits it. Nonetheless, it has proved durable.

There are so many personal uses for the prayer book, and touching on some of them, it is important for me to note in this recitation, that the primary purpose of this issue of The Book of Common Prayer for me is taking it to nursing, hospital, and similar places (including home visits), to administer home Communion. It is an excellent size for traveling, and as I may not have mentioned, also offers the complete book with all the prayers and this includes, "Communion under Special Circumstances," used in the Episcopal Church for bringing home communion.

As a licensed lay Minister in my Church, and as an Oblate, I am always moved and informed by the same words from that shared, intimate service. To give you reader, an idea of the character of the book, here is a quote from the beginning prayer of the section "Communion under Special Circumstances."

"Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrement of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen."

There is flexibility in the prayers, and the rubrics allow the lay minister or clergy administering the Eucharist to do the following: "After the reading [found before the opening prayer quoted above], the Celebrant may comment on it briefly." Also, "Suitable prayers may be offered, concluding with the following or some other Collect."

My opinion is the book, both a religious, spiritually literary, and inspired work, encourages spiritual discussion of a religious nature after or before the words of the service. In this way, the Eucharist is a community or communion activity, where the idea of sharing the Church experience is enlarged in the presence of God and man.

When I visit the elderly, especially the frail elderly in my visits, I sometimes share Psalms. The book contains all 150 Psalms, its own translation, of course. This one is a favorite of mine, not only because of its familiarity, but as well because it is a kind of statement about the journey and ministry with which I am engaged in this pastoral relationship:

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.

He revives my soul
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.


This is a good place to end the review.

(This review appeared originally on Amazon.com.)




Notes on review: A friend tells me via email the review is "Too long and too much about your personal ministry. You might try reading other reviews (if any) or looking at what Church Publishing says about it."

I am happy for the critique and suggestions. Here is my response, in part, "As you can tell from the review, my intent was not to take on the book itself for review, but a part of it relevant to me and specific to that particular 'version' (inexpensive, small, portable, and useful for a specific purpose and kind of ministry).

"I also wanted to speak to Episcopalians themselves, as well as Christians, mostly, in a way that would engage them in the review based on experience, rather than expertise. To do that, I thought I needed to use my own personal (though personable might be a better term), than expert opinion.

"For me, dealing with so awesome and holy a work has more validity and genuineness by the stance used. Certainly, there is a kind of authority in this kind of review by testimony (granted that is an important focus of the review, by intention).

"There you have an explanation of why I wrote it as I did, and part of the rationale for the conception of the approach."

I add as of the posting of the review here: I do hope readers will find the review both interesting and able to inform them of some merits of the holy prayer book for Episcopalians in America, The Book of Common Prayer.

It is many things, and contains instructions for worship services including Eucharist, Daily Prayer, Burial, and other rites and sacraments of the Church. As a literary work, it is a marvel and famous as well as admired in that regard. I cannot say how much I have found in this book, and others have found, too.

It does bring one closer to God in Christ and reveals a central part of worship for Episcopalians. An indispensable book for so many Christians of that denomination, and good reading for others who may be interested.

I hope my added notes help the review satisfy some of my friend's objections.

Photo notes: "Exotic Bali 10" is a photograph by amateur photographer Terry Peck. Terry lives North of San Francisco, California USA.

Compilation (for Lent)

by Peter Menkin

My confession is lifted up, and my mind is aware

that I am before God and man

seeking forgiveness--

The Lord be in your heart and upon your lips...

Do you notice the first thing said:

by his great mercy forgive you all your offenses...

For the failures of the body, the sins of the person,

and restore you in the perfect peace of the Church...

One says, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness...

For with my tongue I have said,

in my heart I have faulted,

with my body I have done for my corruptible flesh has brought me to sin.

May God in his love enlighten your heart...

Bring me to the light, take me from the dark,

as I cannot remember all my sins,

those forgotten and out of mind.

My meditation on my evil, my sweetness of good,

these I bring to you heavy laden.

--Peter Menkin

A compilation from "The Book of Common Prayer," these words remind one of, "The Reconciliation of a Penitent, Form Two," found on page 449.