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 and Time
To maintain intimacy with God and to be watchful against sin:
- I will have daily Morning Prayer before I open my laptop or begin my work day.
- I will pause for Midday Prayer when possible.
- I will have daily Evening Prayer and/or Compline.
- At least one of these prayer times I will have with my family.
- I will go to bed before midnight, immediately after praying.
- I will not stay up late scrolling on my phone or wasting time.
Fasting/Simplicity/Self-Denial
To subdue my flesh and remember Christ’s suffering:
- I will fast from all food until 5 PM on all Fridays of the year. (If I am sick because of my medicine, I will eat only enough bland food to make it through the day.)
- I will not consume alcohol.
- I will abstain from any social media that becomes a stumbling block.
- 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.
