May I Have This Dance?: An Invitation to Faithful Prayer Throughout the Year

by Joyce Rupp

For years May I Have This Dance? has been a favorite of readers. This revised edition of Joyce Rupp's best-selling book (more than 160,000 copies sold) has been updated with new guided meditations for each month of the year. Joyce Rupp invites readers to join God in the dance of life. She explores twelve themes, including "The Road to Life" and "The Playground of God," following each with prayer suggestions such as litanies, guided meditations, and journal keeping. Readers will be delighted to accept the invitation to dance with the Divine Partner--a dance of truth and wholeness--throughout the seasons of the year.

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Religion, Faith, Christian

Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.

Reviews

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet spiritual book. Firstly I loved it because of the poems and then the stories which are relatable and transcends to another realm.

[Christy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful prayer resource Joyce Rupp provides for a journey through the year in May I Have This Dance? Chapters correlate to months of the year and each offers up a theme for reflection tied to the seasons, nature and liturgical church year. An original poem sets the tone followed by a commentary on the theme and then activity suggestions for the prayer life with biblical passages and prompts for contemplation follow.

I've used this both for my own spiritual reflection as well as a great resource to draw from in getting ideas for preaching.

[Bill Wendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other reviewers, turn to this book as the months flip on my calendar for a preview of the emotional and spiritual changes that will unfold in one's inner life during the next 30 days. Exercises and poems invite reflection and structure soul work no matter what faith one brings to the reading. A divine invitation to dance for those self-described as "spiritual but not religious."

[Joy-Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a chapter a month with my book club. This is a beautiful look at life through all of its cycles.

[Leslie Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seasonal approach to prayer, joyous, hopeful...great metaphors, good quotes... not finished yet

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I CONTINUALLY USE THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT GOES MONTH BY MONTH.

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful analogy of the Dance of Life! Very comforting book especially for a hopeless romantic like me.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book for spiritual directors. I love the monthly poems.