Living Prayer

by Anthony Bloom, Anthony of Sourozh

There are few writers on prayer who speak with more authority than Metropolitan Anthony. In this book we can share his spirituality and his deep understanding of the link between contemplation and action in Christian life. He explores the relationship between worship and prayer, and goes on to look at well-known prayers such as the Lords Prayer, revealing new depths in familiar phrases. He also reflects on less familiar petitions such as the Prayer of Bartimaeus, and many people will find his teaching on unanswered prayers particularly helpful.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Christian, Prayer, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith

126 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 1974

About the author

Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh was a prominent writer and broadcaster on prayer and the Christian life, as well as the founder and leader of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh.

See also: Antonie de Suroj, Anthony of Sourozh, Antonijus Surožietis, Антоний Сурожский, Anthony van Sourozh, Антоний Сурожки

Reviews

[Liz Blackham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book on prayer that I will return to again and again. It is obviously written by someone who is primarily a pray-er which is refreshing compared to so many books on prayer theory. Prayer is a practical activity and this books helps the reader get started or go deeper with their prayers. I particularly liked his section on meditation - scriptural and affecting how we act (not just mystical).

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight chapters of wisdom on prayer and some of the forms we find ourselves entering into when we pray.
Too much to take in in a single sitting.
A book to return to.
I found the chapters on 'The Lord's Prayer' and 'Meditation and Worship' particularly useful this time around.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will take repeated reading and reflection. Not a light read by any means, with no easy answers. The chapter on the Lord's Prayer alone is worth the price. Profound and challenging. Highly recommended.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

condensed book. I think there are couple of books u must read before starting it just to b sure u get the concepts he is talking about. writing about praying is not easy as u must live the life of deep praying before writing about it & i think the writer was living it.

[Debbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each chapter was a stand-alone essay. Some were good, others just okay. His other books on prayer are much better.

[Michael Shami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent spiritual reflection on prayer, with a particularly in-depth look at the Our Father.

[Trey Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although harsh at times, this book is a great look at more intense, spiritually rich personal prayer.

[Lydia Vaile · Rating 3 out of 5]

# 👍🏻 What I Liked About It

- Many great advices. Very wise advises
- Philosophical point of view, educated and broad-minded

# 👎🏻 What I Didn't Like About It

- Religious biased. “It is only by becoming members of Christ that we become sons of God.”
- Salvation through suffering. “When we decide to make a move that will liberate us from our enslavement: we must be aware that we shall be attacked by violence, by beguilement, by the inner enemies that are our old habits, our old craving for security, and that nothing is promised us, except the desert beyond. Beyond that is the promised land, but far beyond, and we must accept the risks of the journey.”

# 👨‍🎓 What I’ve Learned

- St John Chrysostom says that the poor man is not so much he who does not possess, but he who wants what he does not possess.
- Concentration, whether in meditation or in prayer, can only be achieved by an effort of will. Our spiritual life is based on our faith and determination, and any incidental joys are a gift of God.
- We must be ready to receive from God whatever experience is sent.

# 📜 Quotes

If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.

To rebellion, to violence, to attempted escape from the painful, unbearable situation; but essentially neither rebellion nor flight make us free, because freedom is first of all an inner situation with regard to God, to self and to the surrounding world.

Find in B. Phillips' J. translation: 'Happy are those who claim nothing', meaning 'Blessed are those who do not try to possess'.

We are aiming at something. We we search for our sight and we are constantly frustrated; it is torment and hopelessness and if we stop there, we are defeated. But if at that moment we turn to God, knowing that only God is left, and say: 'I trust thee and commit into thy hands my soul and body, my whole life/ then despair has led us to faith.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everything I could find that is written by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
His life story and his deep approach to Christ’s teaching is very gripping.
This book is a little harder to follow, but never the less it is deeply felt.

[Ian Colle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit rambling in parts, but the Epilogue alone is worth the price of admission.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes a number of good points, although Eastern Orthodox Christianity seems like a combination of Christianity and Buddhism.

[Josh Luukkonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book on prayer. Hard to sum it up, but it’s as if a curtain was moved aside for a moment and we’ve seen the inner workings of our true selves here; the books leads us to a more real and authentic experience of prayer than I think most of us are used to. An absolute excellent read and would also serve as a great gift for others. The books will help you learn how to approach prayer in a very real and human way—not just giving platitudes and lofty goals, but rather actual exercises in approaching your self with honesty and truth so that you naught approach God with honesty and truth.

[Summer Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book opened my eyes to many different ways that my eyes have been cloudy. With some subtle shifts in my thinking, it has opened up my definition of prayer, love, and communion with God. I am grateful for this simple and small book and have shared it with many others.

[Katherine Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT!!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Must read.