Augustine on prayer →
The Augustinians
Explore prayer from the heart and the desire for God. Read one section, then pause to reflect.
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GROW IN FAITH · AUGUSTINIAN SPIRITUALITY
Prayer and Community the Augustinian Way
Seek God with an honest heart. Learn to love with others. Let prayer shape the way you live.
Begin with the heart
For Saint Augustine, prayer involves our whole inner life: thoughts, desires, questions, and love. We bring ourselves truthfully before God and allow his grace to change us. This inward attention is often called interiority.
Begin simply. Set aside a quiet moment, read a few lines of the Gospel, and tell Jesus what is on your mind. You do not need impressive words. You can ask for help, give thanks, or sit quietly with a desire to draw closer to him.
Pray with attention
In his Rule, Augustine asks that the words of prayer be alive in the heart. When you pray the Our Father, a psalm, or another familiar prayer, slow down. Notice what you are saying and how it touches your life.
For example, when you ask for forgiveness, remember someone you have hurt. Ask for the grace to put things right. When your attention wanders, gently begin again.
Learn to love with others
Augustinian life joins the search for God to friendship, shared prayer, and care for others. We learn patience and generosity through real relationships. Faith grows as we listen, ask honest questions, forgive, and accept help.
You can begin where you are: in your family, parish, friendships, or work. Join a parish prayer or study group, make time for someone who is lonely, or ask a trusted person to pray with you.
Let prayer become service
Our monastery’s charism connects the interior life, practical love of neighbor, and the pursuit of truth. Prayer bears fruit in ordinary choices: sharing your gifts, carrying out responsibilities faithfully, and responding to someone’s need.
Learning about faith and living it belong together. After reading or praying, ask: what loving action can I take today?
Try three small habits
- Make room for God. Spend five quiet minutes with a short Gospel passage. Notice one word or thought to carry into your day.
- Pray slowly. Say a familiar prayer with attention. Bring one person or concern before God.
- Reach out. Encourage someone, share a responsibility, or take one step toward reconciliation.
A question to carry with you: How could my prayer help me love the people around me more patiently?
A simple prayer for today
Lord Jesus, draw my heart toward you. Teach me to listen with patience, to seek what is true, and to love the people you place in my life. Help my prayer become kindness, forgiveness, and service. Amen.
An original prayer for this guide, inspired by Augustinian themes.
Trusted resources to explore
Start with one resource and return to it slowly. The links below identify who provides the material.
The Rule of Saint Augustine →
Maltese Augustinian Province
A historic rule for religious community life. Begin with chapters 1 and 2 on community and prayer; read alongside our introduction to the Rule.
Our Augustinian charism →
Servants of God of St. Augustine
Discover how our community brings prayer, friendship, the search for truth, and service together.
Explore the wider tradition through the Order of Saint Augustine.
PRAYER · COMMUNITY · SERVICE
Could Oblate life be your next step?
Deepen your prayer, grow in community, and share in the monastery’s spiritual life while living your own vocation and responsibilities. Explore the Augustinian Oblate path and begin a conversation with the monastery about discernment and formation.
These resources are open to everyone. An inquiry begins a conversation; admission and formation are discerned with the monastery.