In his article “What is a Rule of Life and Why Do I Need It?” David Fry explains the value of establishing rules or guidelines for one’s Christian life. Below is a sample rule of life, adapted in part from the Bernard Breviary. Rules in italics are especially for ordained ministers.
Prayer
- To maintain intimacy with God, I will pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer every day using the Daily Office.
- As often as possible, I will have Evening Prayer with my family.
Fasting/Simplicity/Self-Denial
- To subdue my flesh and remember Christ’s suffering, I will fast from all food until 5:00 PM on all Fridays of the year.
- To prepare my heart to receive God’s Word and sacrament, I will abstain from all food from Saturday midnight until the following morning Eucharist on Sunday.
- I will not consume alcohol.
- I will abstain from any social media that becomes a stumbling block, and I will fast from all social media at least one week a year.
- I will only use social media to post edifying content, and I will save controversial discussions for more suitable contexts. If I feel compelled to address something potentially divisive publicly, I will share a draft of my post with at least two wise spiritual mentors before posting.
Feasting/Celebration
- I will feast on the Word of God by striving to spend at least one solid hour in meditation on Holy Scripture at least once a week.
- I commit to the life-long work of the Psalter, memorizing and internalizing the psalms through constant reading and singing.
- I will celebrate the baptism of every member of my family with a special meal.
- I will find meaningful ways to observe the major feasts of the Church Year with my family and community.
- I will read Scripture in light of the Church’s rich history of interpretation and submit to the Church’s consensus on difficult matters.
Examination/Accountability
- I will confess sins verbally to a pastor at least twice a year, or as need requires.
- I will go on an overnight spiritual retreat at least once a year.
- I will examine my life regularly according to this rule and report to an accountability partner on my experience.
- I will stay in contact with and pray for my pastor-brothers regularly.
- I vigorously commit to sexual purity in thought, word, and deed. I will keep my marriage vows until death. I will not look at pornography or immodest women online or on social media. I will use accountability software on all my media. I will not download unmonitored apps or find other workarounds. I will not talk to a woman around my age without my wife’s knowledge. If I feel any attraction towards a woman that I am in regular contact with, I will immediately tell my accountability partner. I will give my wife free access to all my devices.
- I will not criticize, tease, or speak harshly to my wife. I will nurture her with tenderness and understanding, lest my prayers be hindered.
Submission
- I will submit to my spiritual overseers/ecclesial superiors and not speak ill of them.
- I will not teach anything as necessary for salvation except that which may be concluded and proved from the Scriptures.
- I will not teach or do anything that is in direct contradiction to the ecumencial creeds and the 39 Articles of Religion.
- I will conform my church’s worship to historic norms as reflected in the Book of Common Prayer and other standard liturgies of the Church.
- I will confront sin when necessary, but strive to never speak with harshness to a Christian under my care.
