Against the Robots

Twelfth-century monastic prayer:
Teach me, Lord, to make good use of the time You give me for work…
Teach me to unite haste and slowness, serenity and fervor, zeal and peace. Help me at the beginning of my work. Help me in the heart of my labor… And above all, fill in the gaps in my work Yourself: Lord, in every labor of my hands, let a grace from You to speak to others and a flaw of my own to speak to myself.

Keep within me the hope of perfection, otherwise I would lose heart. Keep me in the powerlessness of perfection, otherwise I would be lost to pride…

Lord, never let me forget that all work is empty except where there is love…

Lord, teach me to pray with my hands, my arms, and all my strength. Remind me that the work of my hands belongs to You, and that it is my duty to give it back to You… That if I act to please others, like the flower of the grass I will wither in the evening. But if I act for the love of good, I will remain in goodness. And the time to do good and to Your glory is now.

Amen