Introduction:
This is a word that I was given by God in 2002 but I feel to re-release it now. I believe this to be a word initially for Ireland, but will also apply to other countries.
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There is a new monasticism coming to the Church in Ireland.
It is first of all a monasticism of the heart – a heart that communes deeply with God – not superficial throwaway prayers, but an intimacy that transcends lifestyle and culture. It is a return to the ‘Practise of the Presence of God‘, as it has been called; that intimacy that is born out of many hours of solitude and soaking in the very presence of God. This in turn will lead to a quickened awareness of the presence of God in everyday situations – at work, at school, in the home and in the community. It is deep communion with God even in the midst of chaos.
This new Monasticism will operate on 2 levels:
1) An Attitude of Heart
In the hearts of all believers who will commit themselves to the changes necessary in lifestyle:
- more time spent in the presence of God, saturating in his very life,
- a shift from petition to waiting and listening,
- embracing fasting as a way of life,
- dealing with the impurities that impede his holiness.
In essence, this entails embracing all of the qualities and strengths of the former monks, yet living them out within the cultural context.
Qualities and Strengths:
Solitude
Community
Discipline
Hard Working Attitude
Mercy and Justice
Holiness
Sacrifice,
Simple lifestyle,
etc.
I felt the Lord highlight 2 key strengths of the former monastic lifestyle – Solitude and Community. These seem to be almost opposites yet when put together make up a whole. Solitude – spending many hours alone with God is complimented by the strength in unity of many others who have been alone with God too. Those who commit their lives to this solitude of heart will need the support and fellowship of others to enable them to translate their experience into the living reality needed to live it out in their everyday lives.
For the majority of believers the call is to a deeper level and walk with God within their existing situations.
2) An Actual, Literal Monastic Lifestyle
Yet I believe that God will call some to an actual physical monastic lifestyle, seeing the re-establishment of residential community life that embraces all of the qualities of the former monasteries, yet living within the modern cultural context. This will involve an embracing, not rejection, of culture and society, working with what is good and right, and seeking to redeem cultural ways that are not forbidden by the Lord. Thus, it will be common to see a fusion of inner city communities, marrying up of modern forms of music, art and culture with the spiritual disciplines such as solitude and silence, worship, service and fellowship. This will produce a dynamic expression of God incarnating in the culture, permeating, sanctifying and redeeming all around. This will be a very attractive expression to those who don’t yet know Jesus. These communities will only happen though if those who are called to live in them will first embrace wholeheartedly the call to adopt the Attitude of Heart.
The primary purpose of these modern day monasteries is to be Houses of Prayer with God calling many to give themselves to worship and prayer on 24 hour a day cycles. Prayer and worship will be the powerhouse of these communities yet they will be holistic centres, embracing the call to redeem the whole of creation from its bondage to decay (Romans 8). So works of mercy, care for those in poverty, speaking up for justice, healing of the sick, mission and teaching will all be part of the whole package.
