It is the inner spirit of the community and of the individual which must change and grow. Prayer is no longer spoken of as an obligation but as a method of listening to God. Communal prayer is important because it is the community together listening to the Word. Prayer is more and more becoming recognized as central to monastic life. Still work so often tends to govern prayer life, whether it is the time of day, length or attendance.
Many monastics still find it difficult to pray privately with the Scriptures.
Monastics have rediscovered lectio but find it difficult to put it into practice. Declining numbers of members in monasteries have necessitated evaluating the works of each established monastery. Some monasteries have used this opportunity to refocus their monastic life away from institutions to a more personal style of monastic life. Some monasteries have tried to continue institutions which have become detrimental to the individual members who become overworked or appreciated because they are income producers. However, it has been clear that most monasteries must do something.