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Praying the Truth Deepening Your Friendship with God through Honesty
In Praying the Truth , William A. Barry, SJ, helps us deepen our friendship with God by examining how to approach God, at any time and with any problem, in complete honesty. Fr. Barry reflects on how secrecy can hurt families, the Church, and ourselves, and how what we are keeping secret can get in the way of our connection with God. He acknowledges that we may fear God's reaction when revealing our most intimate truth; but just like with friendships, we risk not developing our relationship with God if we are dishonest about who we are and how we feel.
Praying the Truth helps us realize that if we do not approach God in complete honesty, we may be holding back a part of ourselves that needs to be healed. By learning how to communicate honestly with God, our friendship with God and our faith in God's promise to love us unconditionally will be strengthened.
Praying the Truth helps us realize that if we do not approach God in complete honesty, we may be holding back a part of ourselves that needs to be healed. By learning how to communicate honestly with God, our friendship with God and our faith in God's promise to love us unconditionally will be strengthened.
- GenresFaithNonfiction
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
34 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
William A. Barry
41 books34 followersWilliam (Bill) Barry, a distinguished spiritual director and author, was born in Worchester, MA. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1950, studied philosophy in Germany from 1953 until 1956, and was at Weston College for theology studies from 1959 until 1963. Ordained a priest in 1962, Barry went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1968.
In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named director for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of formation for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Assistant Director of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.
From 1991 to 1997, he served as Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.
Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry found the time to write 15 books, including The Practice of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Love, and A Friendship Like No Other.
Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the most influential Ignatian commentators at work today.
In 1969, he began teaching psychology at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, and in 1971 was named director for the Center for Religious Development. He served in both capacities until 1978, when he was put in charge of formation for the New England Jesuit Province. Barry was the Assistant Director of Novices for the Province (1985-88) when he was named Rector of Boston College.
From 1991 to 1997, he served as Provincial of the New England Jesuits. Following that, he was named co-director of the Jesuit Tertianship Program. Barry directs retreats at Campion Center in Weston, MA.
Despite such a busy and committed life, Barry found the time to write 15 books, including The Practice of Spiritual Direction, God and You, Finding God in All Things, Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God, Who Do You Say I Am?, With an Everlasting Love, and A Friendship Like No Other.
Barry has the rare ability to present complex spiritual issues in clear, well-written prose. He is one of the most influential Ignatian commentators at work today.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 17, 2020
Re-ignite that prayer life and speak your truth. Nothing is too much to bring to prayer.
January 30, 2022
Kawan, beranikah dirimu mengungkap amarah pada Tuhan saat hidup serasa tak adil? Dapatkah dirimu menceritakan pikiran-pikiran terkelammu pada Tuhan?
Bila jawabmu ‘tidak’, aku yakin kamu tidak sendiri. Wajar jika kita merasa ngeri dan ciut berhadapan dengan Yang Maha Kuasa sehingga tanpa sadar mengambil jarak. Memuji Tuhan dengan segala kalimat indah tentu lebih mudah ketimbang mencurahkan sisi diri yang tak semuanya sedap dilihat. Akibatnya, jika kamu sepertiku, tak jarang berdoa serasa demikian sulit.
Padahal, menurut William A Barry, S.J., seorang biarawan Yesuit yang akrab dengan doa, mendaras doa tidaklah sulit bila kita memandangnya sebagai media membangun relasi persahabatan dengan Tuhan. Tentu kamu tak perlu canggung menceritakan segala hal pada seorang sahabat yang penuh kasih dan tak pernah menghakimi, bukan?
Dalam buku singkat berisi 16 bab ini, Barry dengan lugas menuliskan bagaimana kita dapat menceritakan apa saja pada Tuhan; mulai dari ketakutan, keberhasilan, kesedihan, amarah, bahkan ketidaksetujuan kita pada Allah. Tidak ada hal yang terlampau besar atau kecil untuk dicurahkan dalam doa.
Buku yang sudah lima tahun menghuni rak buku namun baru sekarang kubaca ini memberi pandangan segar tentang doa sebagai sebuah relasi. Usai menamatkannya, aku jadi memandang doa bukan hanya sekadar sebagai tindakan menyembah atau memohon sesuatu. Seperti Barry, aku perlahan belajar bahwa berdoa adalah “berelasi dengan Allah secara lebih percaya diri seperti ketika sedang bercakap-cakap dengan teman yang paling akrab.” (hal. 5)
Bila jawabmu ‘tidak’, aku yakin kamu tidak sendiri. Wajar jika kita merasa ngeri dan ciut berhadapan dengan Yang Maha Kuasa sehingga tanpa sadar mengambil jarak. Memuji Tuhan dengan segala kalimat indah tentu lebih mudah ketimbang mencurahkan sisi diri yang tak semuanya sedap dilihat. Akibatnya, jika kamu sepertiku, tak jarang berdoa serasa demikian sulit.
Padahal, menurut William A Barry, S.J., seorang biarawan Yesuit yang akrab dengan doa, mendaras doa tidaklah sulit bila kita memandangnya sebagai media membangun relasi persahabatan dengan Tuhan. Tentu kamu tak perlu canggung menceritakan segala hal pada seorang sahabat yang penuh kasih dan tak pernah menghakimi, bukan?
Dalam buku singkat berisi 16 bab ini, Barry dengan lugas menuliskan bagaimana kita dapat menceritakan apa saja pada Tuhan; mulai dari ketakutan, keberhasilan, kesedihan, amarah, bahkan ketidaksetujuan kita pada Allah. Tidak ada hal yang terlampau besar atau kecil untuk dicurahkan dalam doa.
Buku yang sudah lima tahun menghuni rak buku namun baru sekarang kubaca ini memberi pandangan segar tentang doa sebagai sebuah relasi. Usai menamatkannya, aku jadi memandang doa bukan hanya sekadar sebagai tindakan menyembah atau memohon sesuatu. Seperti Barry, aku perlahan belajar bahwa berdoa adalah “berelasi dengan Allah secara lebih percaya diri seperti ketika sedang bercakap-cakap dengan teman yang paling akrab.” (hal. 5)
March 18, 2021
This was my reading selection for Lent this year (it's what I do instead of giving something up). I knew Fr. Bill Barry from having him as my director when I went on a seven-day Ignatian retreat when I was still living on the East coast, and the compassion and keen mind I recall from that time is very much in evidence in this book. When I heard about his death late last year, I knew that I would want to pick up another one of his books during this season as a kind of tribute.
His goal here is to take down all the barriers between a believer and God, in order to grow the relationship into the most honest and life-affirming one of all. It isn't a book for someone just beginning a spiritual journey, still working out who God might be for themselves, possibly concerned with doctrine and unfamiliar with Scripture, but for one who may already have a long-standing picture of who God is as someone who they cannot open themselves fully to, whether out of fear or anger or shame. Using illustrations from the Bible, from history, and from his own experience in spiritual direction, he provides concrete examples of how it might be possible to take down these obstacles and come to a more joyful, more honest place. He show how growing from a childlike faith to something richer is possible when there is trust. There is respect for whatever challenges the reader might be facing, and I felt that the author wrote in a genuinely empathetic way throughout.
His goal here is to take down all the barriers between a believer and God, in order to grow the relationship into the most honest and life-affirming one of all. It isn't a book for someone just beginning a spiritual journey, still working out who God might be for themselves, possibly concerned with doctrine and unfamiliar with Scripture, but for one who may already have a long-standing picture of who God is as someone who they cannot open themselves fully to, whether out of fear or anger or shame. Using illustrations from the Bible, from history, and from his own experience in spiritual direction, he provides concrete examples of how it might be possible to take down these obstacles and come to a more joyful, more honest place. He show how growing from a childlike faith to something richer is possible when there is trust. There is respect for whatever challenges the reader might be facing, and I felt that the author wrote in a genuinely empathetic way throughout.
April 12, 2022
Like other reviewers, I chose to read this little book as part of my Lenten reflections. Barry's thesis is not radical or original; after all, the Psalmist in the first millennium B.C. practiced what he's advocating - but it is necessary in an age burned by a lot of false views of God. In our world today, I see people losing their faith and rejecting God because the God that has been presented to them by television and teachers is small, petty, and arbitrary. Barry invites us to return to the picture of God as presented in the Psalms and parables; a God who is interested in our concerns, who is present in our struggles, who is engaged in our lives. Indeed, God is Love (1 John 4:8). Love finds its Source in Him. If He pours out limitless love to His creation, then we ought to relate to Him in the closest, most intimate way we can; and that way is opened up by honest prayer. We don't hide things from our closes friends; why should we hide things from God? I found Barry's insistence on this possibility of offering absolutely everything to God (past hurts, sins, worries, urges, disappointments) to be a helpful and timely message. I'm glad to have read it.
April 4, 2022
Not sure how to rank this book, as I felt a little disappointed with it. Since, I choose to read it, as a part of my Lenten reflection. However, as I began reading it, I noticed I was already praying this way. Hence, I never learnt anything from it. Instead, I believe the Holy Spirit just reassured me, that my faith is on the right path.
However, I believe this book may be helpful to many people, to whom are still developing their faith, and wanting new ways to pray. Since, this book, is all about simple humble and modest prayer. Just, opening your heart, and speaking to God in an honest way. Since, you can’t hide anything for God, so you might as well, tell him everything. But, the essential message to this book, is you need to also listen. Hay, I suppose I did learn something!
Anyway, this is a great book for Lent and Advent, to remain focus upon your faith, and increase your relationship with our Almighty Loving God!
However, I believe this book may be helpful to many people, to whom are still developing their faith, and wanting new ways to pray. Since, this book, is all about simple humble and modest prayer. Just, opening your heart, and speaking to God in an honest way. Since, you can’t hide anything for God, so you might as well, tell him everything. But, the essential message to this book, is you need to also listen. Hay, I suppose I did learn something!
Anyway, this is a great book for Lent and Advent, to remain focus upon your faith, and increase your relationship with our Almighty Loving God!
March 16, 2021
This slim volume is a treasure trove of truth about prayer. William Barry’s gentle, honest style of writing mimics the honest style of prayer he encourages us to have in prayer. What this book reminds us is that nothing is off limits in prayer - anger, fear, sexuality - all these and more are topics that God wants to explore with us in honest relationship.
This book does offer examples of particular ways to pray, but more than that, it is a reminder that prayer is relationship. With that in mind, we will approach prayer differently.
This book does offer examples of particular ways to pray, but more than that, it is a reminder that prayer is relationship. With that in mind, we will approach prayer differently.
June 28, 2018
I believe most things happen for a reason.: we meet people, we travel to a new place, we experience something new, we are introduced to a new book...
This book came at the right time for me. It provided me with some new perspectives on prayer and talking with God. I must say it brought me peace and gave me new options for continuing on my spiritual journey. For that, I am most grateful.
This book came at the right time for me. It provided me with some new perspectives on prayer and talking with God. I must say it brought me peace and gave me new options for continuing on my spiritual journey. For that, I am most grateful.
November 20, 2025
My suggestion for the greatest benefit, consider reading this book one chapter at a time, daily or weekly, and then spending time in prayerful reflection on the theme. This paced approach may offer you far deeper insight than simply reading straight through from beginning to end.
November 7, 2018
A wonderful book on prayer! I am delighted.
November 1, 2023
It really answers a lot of my questions about praying openly, because many of my relatives push different directions on prayers. So it's really good to read this book.
May 21, 2021
A must read
This book will sure change the life of the readers and change their view about God, and their relationship with God. Very strongly recommended.
This book will sure change the life of the readers and change their view about God, and their relationship with God. Very strongly recommended.
May 29, 2024
Great Books! It was ioen my perspective about praying. Just talk and listen. Praying is a dialogue btween us and our GOD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2014
Talking to God with truth and telling Him how you really feel helps to make a friendship with God that one can build on and grow in. The work is finding the truth in yourself and learning to listen for God's answer.
November 15, 2016
shortly speaking, He is all about you. He wants to know everything about you - and to hear it from you - not to banish nor mad at you...but to love you and you loving Him back. (that's a lot of yous) ;)
December 30, 2012
I found this to be a profound meditation on how to deepen our relationship with God. Above all, Fr. Barry is honest. This book really truck a chord with me. I will read it again, I bet.
September 13, 2013
Excellent! Jesuit enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews