Pray and work

Relief with the motto (in gold) Ora et labora

In Christian mysticism, the phrase pray and work (or "pray and labor", in Latin ora et labora) refers to the monastic practice of working and praying, generally associated with its use in the Rule of St. Benedict.^[1]

Benedict viewed prayer and work as partners, and believed in combining contemplation with action.^[2] The phrase expresses the need to balance prayer and work in monastic settings and has been used in many religious communities from the Middle Ages onwards.

Some orders (such as the Cistercians) applied the concept directly to farm work and became an element in the movement towards land reclamation from rot and agricultural development in Western Europe. Other orders such as the Humiliati applied the concept to the production of woolen cloth using wheels in the period prior to the industrial revolution.

See also

• Lectio Divina
• Work ethic

Notes

1. ^ Benedict of Nursia Anselm Grün, Linda M. Maloney 2006 ISBN 0814629105 page 30
2. ^ Benedict's Way: An Ancient Monk's Insights for a Balanced Life by Lonni Collins Pratt, Daniel Homan, OSB 2001 ISBN 0829417877 page 47

Bibliography

• Ora et labora: prayer and action as cooperation with God by Robert Field, University of the South, 1993