Details
Synopsis
Readers seeking to integrate prayer into their daily lives will find much practical assistance and no small amount of inspiration in this practical yet eloquent introduction to prayer, its language, practice, and purpose. Each chapter begins with several apt quotations on prayer taken from various sources, then proceeds anecdotally, before ending with short, illustrative prayers from men and women known for their faith. Although the author's own perspective is markedly Christian, the clarity of his prose and the experiential aspect of his approach will be useful across many traditions.
| Size | | Height: | 8.3 in | | Width: | 5.8 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 8.8 oz |
Industry Reviews
Jones, a former pastor and editor at Christianity Today magazine, draws on his personal experience as a Christian and as a seasoned observer of human nature in this exploration of the possibilities of prayer. He considers the desire to pray and the inability to pray as two equally valid starting points for approaching the divine. Jones reflects that when we practice silence as a form of prayer, when we face our incompleteness as human beings by examining our failures, when we cultivate gratitude for our blessings, rail at God for our misfortunes, or lift others in prayer we open life to the immense possibilities of love and hope. Jones provides reassurance and inspiration on a topic of importance to a growing number of readers.
Ives
Jones, a freelance writer and former managing editor at Ballantine's short-lived religion imprint, Moorings, has written a fine introduction to prayer, as well as a deeply reflective meditation on this much-written-about subject, to encourage those who already make prayer a practice. Jones opens the book with an eloquent exploration of common questions such as "Is God really approachable?" "Does God listen carefully?" and "What do I say when I pray?" that often precede the practice of prayer. Laced with appropriate anecdotes and insights, each chapter begins with relevant quotes on prayer from a variety of sources and ends with short prayers from noted men and women of faith. While the book is written from a decidedly Christian perspective, it will appeal to a broad readership because of Jones's luminous prose and his lucid insights into the nature of a religious practice common to all religions. Jones's "simple guide" will be especially useful to people seeking to reintegrate the art and practice of prayer into their busy lives. (Apr.)
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