|
President's Page:
|
By Monk Preston (Co-Founder & President, The Prayer Foundation ™) |
|
||
|
A Total, Bible-based, Christ-centered, Born-again Evangelical Monastic Lifestyle "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word." -Acts 6:4 ![[Back]](back.gif){kind=small} The idea of "monks" is a historical Christian symbol and metaphor for both a life of prayer, and a life of dedication to the Lord. The Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order was also created at that time. It is composed of supporters of The Prayer Foundation ™. The idea of "monks" is a historical Christian symbol and metaphor for both a life of prayer, and a life of dedication to the Lord. The Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order offers Full Monk Status to ordinary Christian lay people...It is the first Christian Religious Order in the history of the world to offer Full Monk Status to women. On July 19, 1999; Monk Linda became the First Lady Monk in the history of Christianity. The Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order offers Full Monk Status to ordinary Christian lay people (those who do not go to live at a religious community but remain in their own homes, at their own jobs and careers; including those who are married). It is the first Christian Religious Order in the history of the world to give Full Monk Status to women. On July 19, 1999; Monk Linda became the First Lady Monk in the history of Christianity. The Order of the Knights of Prayer ™ is a Christian Religious Order which offers an Official Recognition of the fact that many Christians are already "monks in their heart." Those who register as Monks of this Order receive a Monastic Wall Certificate and Wallet-sized Registration Card as a visible recognition of what is already in fact true; that they are "monks in their heart." It should be noted that we also have a Prayer Warrior Certificate & Card for those who desire to be supporters of this work, but have no interest in becoming "monks." Monastic Requirements: Study Course / Prayerchain Intercession / Daily Office: Praying the Hours of Prayer Those desiring to live more monastic-oriented lives should go through the Prescribed Course of Study posted free on this web site: our Growing In Christ Monastic Training Series, which includes Bible Study, Scripture Memorization, and the reading of classic books Christian Teaching (authors like C. S. Lewis and Paul E. Little). We offer a ministry of Intercessory prayer for all on our 24-Hr. Prayerchain. Our Daily Office: Praying the Hours provides three daily services of praying Psalms and Bible Readings for every day of the year Ordinary Christians as Monks: men, women, married persons; people with jobs, careers, homemakers. It is a primarily "Lay" monastic order. That means that most of our monks are ordinary Christians. Ordinary Christians as Monks: men, women, married persons; people with jobs, careers, homemakers. We are an entire Religious Order of Born-Again Christian Monks. Even Martin Luther (himself having been a monk) considered retaining the monasteries because of their usefulness as schools. But he felt even more strongly that monks should not be forbidden to marry, and ended them. We agree most Christians should marry, but feel ending the monasteries was "throwing the baby out with the bath water." The idea of monks and monasteries should have been subjected to the light of the Scriptures. This we have done. We are an entire Religious Order of Born-Again Christian Monks. To find out what we believe, go to our pages: Statement of Faith, and Plan of Salvation. Monks for Jesus! ™ We are Monks for Jesus! ™ Our Order is especially dedicated to Jesus Christ, and to the Gospel Message of His Death on the Cross for our sins; of his Resurrection and offering of His shed blood before God the Father, that we might through Him (Jesus) be reconciled to God. All we mean by being a "monk" is to be a consecrated Christian, especially dedicated to the Word of God and prayer. All we mean by being a "monk" is to be a consecrated Christian, especially dedicated to the Word of God and prayer. If you feel that you are already a monk in your heart, and desire to become a part of this ministry as a supporter of this work of the Lord, we welcome you! Your Letters: Wow! I'm so excited I found
you guys! I'm a Protestant that desperately wants to be a monk
without becoming Catholic! The last couple of years my interest in
all things monastic has really taken off. I will be joining your
Order. Thank you again so much for your initiative in starting this! I'm
so excited! Thanks
so much for the info. on how to become a monk. For about four
years, I have been living...to get closer to God, and have felt strongly
in my heart that I wanted to live as a "lay monk." It is
wonderful that you are offering the opportunity to legitimize this in
some way, and that I can belong to a group of like-minded people.
I'm going to send in my payment today, and look forward to receiving the
card and certificate. Thanks again, and God bless you. General Information: (Answers to Frequently Asked Questions) Certificate (suitable for framing), Registration Card (wallet-sized), and full Lay Monk (Lay Brother or Lay Sister) status and recognition are available to supporters of The Prayer Foundation ™. In traditional monastic terminology this is called "Oblate" status. If you are one who is "a monk in your heart," we merely offer formal recognition of what is already true. When you first register as a Monk of the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order, your status will be that of a Postulant Monk. After one year, your registration may be renewed, and you will receive Novice Monk status. At the end of another year, when registering you will receive Lay Monk status (as a Lay Brother or Lay Sister of this Order). You can become a monk today (Postulant). It takes two years to achieve Full Lay Monk status. For complete information on how to obtain your Knights of Prayer ™ Wall Certificate and Registration Card go to: Become a Monk! ______________________________________________________________ Definition of Terms: ______________________Traditional Usage:______________________ Postulant: probationary candidate for membership in a religious house. Novice: a new member of a religious order who is preparing to take the vows of religion. Lay Monk (Lay Brother): in the Middle Ages few monks became priests and this referred to the farm worker helpers. In usage of more recent times it came to refer to a monk who has not been ordained as a priest. Oblate: one who becomes affiliated with a religious order while remaining a lay person. Not moving in to live in the Community, but remaining in job, family, their own home. __________________Knights of Prayer ™ Usage:___________________ Postulant Monk: your first year as a Lay Monk of the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order. Novice Monk: your second year as a Lay Monk of the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order. Full Lay Monk: your status at the beginning of your third year. Lay Monk (Lay Brother, Lay Sister): one who becomes affiliated with The Prayer Foundation ™ as a supporter, while remaining a lay person. Not moving in to live in the Community, but remaining in job, family, their own home. Lay Monk is our term for our "Oblates." We give Full Lay Monk status to our Lay Monks (men, women, married persons). Note: You are given Monk status immediately in our Order, because we are merely recognizing the fact that you already are "a monk in your heart." This is the time, if you have not already done so, to turn from sin in your life and turn to God, through Jesus. To set aside daily time for prayer; for Bible reading and study; to memorize scriptures; and tell others about Jesus (see: Plan of Salvation; also: Statement of Faith). ______________________________________________________________ We Offer Four Monastic Options: Option 1.: Become a Lay Monk A Total, Bible-based, Christ-centered, Born-again Evangelical Monastic Lifestyle You can become a Lay Monk with our Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order while remaining in your own home, job, career, life. You can do so whether you are single, married, male or female. Historically, this has been known as "Oblate" status. We are the first Christian Religious Order to give Full Monk Status to our "Oblates." Your Goals must be to Grow in Christ, to Become a Man or Woman of Prayer...to Draw Closer to God, that He might Draw Closer to You Recommendations:
Note: It takes two years to attain "Full" Lay Monk Status, but you receive "Postulant" Monk status immediately, progressing to "Novice" level status in your second year. _________________________________________ The Other Three Monastic Options: (2., 3., & 4.)
Note: Options 2., 3. and 4. Require Submitting an Application. (Information on how to do so may be found on our pages: Joining our Portland Monastery, Affiliated Lay Monastic Community: Portland, Oregon). Further information on the subjects covered in this "President's Page," may be found on the following pages: Copyright © 2001-2003 S.G.P. All rights reserved.
|
|
|||
2.
The
Knights
of Prayer™ Monastic
Order
