Using good books to feed our prayer habit
I suspect that I own way too many books on praying. But this time of the year, when we hear those familiar words on Ash Wednesday that Lent is a time of self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, I’m glad I have them.
I have some real classics like “St. Augustine’s Prayer Book,” “The Imitation of Christ,” and “Courage to Pray.” And I have some newer ones like “Women’s Uncommon Prayers” and “All Desires Known.”
But this Lent, two favorites are among my newest acquisitions: “50 Ways to Pray,” by Teresa A. Blythe, and “Prayers for Penitents,” by Jennifer Phillips.
“50 Ways to Pray” is almost like two books. The first section covers a variety of prayer techniques and the second section is a guide for group leaders and facilitators.
Blythe offers a good variety of prayer techniques. The first chapter, for instance, presents five models for biblical reflections. There is an additional chapter with five models of Lectio Divina. You can also find a chapter on body prayers that includes breath prayer, focusing prayers, praying with beads, praying the labyrinth, and embodying scripture. The concluding form is a lovely and simple confession body prayer.
One of the more contemporary sections covers reflections on media. If you’ve wanted to include a film, a television program or even a commercial in your prayer life, there is helpful guidance for that kind of reflection. It could probably generalize to any kind of artistic expression.
Discernment is always an engaging form of prayer and Blythe describes Ignatian Spiritual Discernment, the Quaker Clearness Committee and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as models.
Group leaders and facilitators will appreciate not only the general comments on leadership, but also some suggestions that relate to each chapter.
Blythe, a seminary graduate and spiritual director, says in the introduction that she hopes the book will “provide at least fifty ways you may take steps in a lifelong walk with God. It is written for you the seeker and sojourner, as well as you, the church leader, youth minister, retreat facilitator or worship planner. It is for all of us who thought we only knew one way to pray.”
I first came across “Prayers for Penitents” at a book display at General Convention. After leafing through this tiny book, I was hooked. It almost seemed as if Phillips had been monitoring my conversations with God and transforming them into prayers of incredible honesty and beauty.
The note on the back cover of the book got my attention: “Warning: These prayers are for sinners only. Frequent use may be habit forming. Side effects may include quietness of spirit, introspection, resolve, elation, thanksgiving and rejoicing!”
Phillips, an experienced priest from the Diocese of Rhode Island and a well-known author, divides her prayers into several sections familiar to any of us who have experienced being human, including “appetite,” “indifference,” “violence,” “selfishness,” “mistrust,” and “fear.”
The prayers themselves resonate with our experience and include titles like “Discouraged,” “A Put-On-Face,” “Mud and Glory,” “When Forgiveness is Difficult,” and even “When Injured by the Church.”
This book has been both a Lenten companion and a year-round companion of mine for a few years and I think it will last for many more. Along with “50 Ways to Pray,” it offers some new depth and breadth to my own prayer life and I hope they will also enrich yours.
