Why Bother Praying?

by Richard Leonard

Written by the best selling author of Where the Hell Is God?, this accessible volume is for everyone who wonders how to pray, everyone who wonders what happens when you pray, and everyone who wonders if God hears our prayers. In an engaging and informative style, the author explores the context within which we pray, what is distinctive about Christian prayer, praying to Jesus, what communal prayers do, how Mary and the Saints help us pray, and finally, what the point of prayer is―sending us out with Christ to witness to the reign of God in our world. He ultimately answers the question this Why bother praying? Because at its most basic prayer is making space for God to love us and, through the community of faith, inviting us to have the courage to return the compliment. It changes lives. Why bother praying? Because God wants us to bother him, and in the process develop a relationship that is marked by such love and joy that it changes us, our neighbor, and the world. "Richard Leonard has done it again, tackled a difficult theological and spiritual question with honesty, deep knowledge, humor and a warm heart. Why Bother Praying moved me to tears and to laughing out loud. But I was also enlightened on one the most fundamental aspects of what it means to be a Christian, namely engaging in a real relationship with God, which is what prayer is all about. If you enjoyed and profited from Where the Hell is God?, you don't need to be urged to read this one. If you missed that treat, I urge you to buy this book and then you will also want to get the earlier one." ―William A. Barry, SJ †

Genres: Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Leonard, the Australian Jesuit priest and film critic, wrote this book on Christian prayer. In part it was a response to reactions to his previous book "Where the Hell is God?" This book challenges us to pray because we are loved beyond measure by an unchanging God. To pray because prayer can change us so that we may change the world. To pray because an array of people before us have offered perspectives for us to be enriched by prayer (e.g. Desert Fathers and Mothers, Benedictine, Carmelite, Franciscan, Dominican, Ignatian ways). This book will help us refine our relationship with God, ourselves, each other and our world. At times it will encourage and console. At others, it will probe, challenge and even stun. Why bother praying? Read this book. Then you might wish to ask the opposite: why bother to not pray?

[Paulist Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very good book for anyone who is seeking to sort of "jump start" their prayer life, either starting at the beginning or looking to renew a sense of purpose or immediacy to their existing practice. Fr. Leonard is very direct in his advice and commentary, which I believe most readers will find refreshing. And the information he presents (about different schools of prayer, fundamentals of Christian prayer,etc.) provide useful footing for both practical and inspirational purposes. Although this practical aspect distinguishes his work from other spirituality writers (like Nouwen), the end result of Leonard's spiritual direction is much the same--cultivating a closer relationship with God.

[Compots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as his "Where the Hell is God?"

Short and sharp defence of his definition of prayer: Asking an unchanging God to change me to change the world.

Yet the author fails to delve into the dilemma of petition not answered. Petition is embedded in the "Our Father" of "Give us our bread". A poverty stricken person finding their family's food on a city's garbage dump, for instance, would have this as their only prayer. By extension, farmers in western countries will pray for rain, and people who are chronically ill will pray for healing. Their vision of God is not necessarily bad but a most powerful king who can change their powerless position. CS Lewis deals with this side of prayer in his book and in letters to Malcolm. However, Richard seems to gloss over it here.

Still, well worth the read. When it comes to pray, I agree with Richard - I need all the help I can get.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. The author gives credit to another Jesuit who wrote a great book on prayer: _Encounter, Not Performance_ by Frank Wallace.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave this as a gift to someone who I think will appreciate it. Very good.