When You Pray: Trust, Surrender, and the Transformation of Your Soul

by Edward Sri

You know prayer is important, but you still find it challenging. Perhaps it’s hard to find time to pray, or you’re unsure what to do when you do pray. Or maybe you feel restless and distracted and don’t feel close to God. You might struggle to trust God and surrender to his will. Or maybe you feel discouraged by your many weaknesses and your inability to overcome them. Ultimately, you worry that what you’re doing in prayer isn’t “working,” because you aren’t seeing major changes in your life. If you have any of these feelings, you are not alone. Many of the saints had similar ones. Even the saints struggled in prayer, had complicated problems, and made mistakes. They were like us. But each time they fell, they got up again and learned to rely more on God’s grace. And eventually they were changed. What God did in countless saints, he wants to do in ordinary people like us. And that’s what this book is the journey God wants to take us on in our prayer life. Inspired by the real example of the saints, we will learn how to pray with the same consistency, trust, peace, and passion that led to deep transformation in their souls. When You A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God will help you begin your journey of prayer, rejuvenate your prayer life, and strengthen your relationship with God so that you can give God your entire heart.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion

241 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2023

About the author

Dr. Edward Sri is a nationally-known speaker on Scripture and Catholicism and the author of several best-selling books. Besides teaching at the Augustine Institute, Sri is a visiting professor at Benedictine College and a contributor to the popular apologetics series, Catholic for a Reason. Sri is also a founding leader with Curtis Martin of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

He also is the creator and host of a new 18-part video series on the Catholic faith for parish adult faith formation called Symbolon (Augustine Institute), and he serves the general editor of a Opening the Word: Journey through the Sunday Readings (Augustine Institute).

Dr. Sri leads pilgrimages to Rome and the Holy Land for lay people each year.

He resides with his wife Elizabeth and their six children in Littleton, Colorado.

Education
STD, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome)
STL, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome)
MA, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Reviews

[Tracy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny how when you're reading different things either stand out or resonate with you. I will be the first one to admit that even though I'm very involved in my church and always look for ways to engage, that I often miss that sometimes the most important thing is to stop and listen; even if it's only a few minutes at a time.

[Marie Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is both the richest & simplest devotional-style book I’ve ever read, and my favourite.

It’s gently challenging in a way that reminds me of the Holy Spirit.
A number of the chapters helped root out weeds and plant new seeds in my interior life, and I’m so grateful.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much to unpack in this book and it was a perfect start to the New Year for me. Edward Sri wrote from a place of knowledge coupled with an understanding that each of us are in such different places on our spiritual journey. But the desire to grow in intimacy with Jesus coupled with an awareness of how difficult that can be were such relevant and relatable points. He offers wisdom and guidance on how to deepen our relationship with Christ that is honest, doable and authentic. I will revisit this book over and over and look through my highlights often.

[Oscar Martinez II · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so practical and insightful with its use of the wisdom of the Saints to help improve your prayer life. I highly recommend it for all Catholics!

[JJ Cylk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always found Sri hard to read at first but about 1/4 way through I begin to relax and understand. I have never reread any of his work but this one I might next Lenten season.
He always has his “posse” of saints surrounding his work. I am attracted most by this style of his. They are always providing him with guidelines and insight to make our activities lead us to be more like a saint and thus bring us to God in our style. We don’t need to be replicates of the saints, God wants us to be our own style of saint. God made us different for a purpose.

[Lydian Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most helpful I’ve read in my walk with God. The wisdom and insight used to write this book come from some of the greatest saints, and the application to modern-day situations and events makes it easy to relate and understand these saints and their stories. This book will leave you with a new sense of understanding in your prayer/interior life built on fundamental principles such as humility, trust, surrender, and compassion. AMAZING BOOK!!!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was completed as a book study through my church. We met for 7 weeks reading and discussing the book while completing the workbook and watching the videos.

The videos to the program are very well made and definitely give you food for thought. Each of the 30 days of “chapters” were well thought through and progressed very nicely leading the reader to a fuller deeper experience of “When you Pray.”

[Ann R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Sri does a beautiful job of explaining the saints’ journeys through prayer and how we can learn from them. This book is part of a study, which includes a workbook and videos. Every woman with whom I’ve done this study has enjoyed it. He ends the study with a 30-day prayer challenge. The idea is to instill a daily habit of meditative prayer. It worked for me!

[Catholic Mom and Daughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book! It is full of practical tips to deepen your prayer life. Dr. Sir draws from the lives and writings of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Therese of Lisieux to inspire us and help us along the path to holiness. The author has such an easy to understand writing style; he is a favorite here.

[Abby Widlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Excellent reflections, meditations, and prompts. I built up a habit of consistency toward the end of reading it, and now I’m much closer to a consistent habit of daily prayer twice a day. Very lovely

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I am somewhat familiar with Edward Sri’s Bible studies, and maybe I’ve read another of his books? I must have…

Sri sets out to do a guide to praying. Which sounds both straightforward and simple, and very complicated. Prayer is a big topic! Still, pulling from the saints, I think Sri does a good job giving some tips and ideas for prayer. Each chapter ends with a little bit of instruction on how to improve one’s prayer life.

Worth checking out if you come across it, and want to work on prayer. Lots of great saints’ quotes, too!

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful written, enjoyed the lessons and stories of the Saints. There was a lot to take away and support to continue to grow in prayer.

[Kelly Veatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely study to work through! I learned so much on how to make my prayer life better. Edward Sri is an amazing writer and speaker!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to prayer.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important book, something I will read every year before Easter.

[Josh Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hopefully changes my life. I really appreciated this book.

[Joan Mattingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading and program on ascension press!!

[Sara Rieland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this author!! Such great common sense reminders of how to love a life of prayer and virtue!