The Little Book of Prayers

by David Schiller

The perfect gift for seekers, the curious, and the spiritually hungry, The Little Book of Prayers now has a stunning new cover and a more prayer book–like format.

Gathered from holy books and prayer books, from songs and spirituals, spoken traditions and poets, it is an unexpectedly approachable collection of common and uncommon prayers from around the world. The entries, one per page or spread, are chosen for their depth of feeling, beauty of expression, spiritual intensity, and sense of the universal. The book is organized into broad categories of praise, entreaty, contemplation, mourning, and grace; and two indexes―one by authorship, and the other by topic―make it immediately accessible.

There are familiar prayers, like the Lord’s Prayer and 23rd Psalm, which, placed in new context, shine with a renewed beauty and wisdom. You’ll find prayers unfamiliar to many in the West, such as the “Opener” from the Koran or the four vows of the Boddhisattva, chanted every evening in Zen monasteries around the world. And the surprising―from the “Prayer of the Unknown Confederate Soldier” to the blues of Lightnin’ Hopkins to the poetry of Rumi. God help us to live To move To look To allow
To let the heart create for us.
Amen.
―Michael Leunig You, whose day it is, make it beautiful. Get out your rainbow colors, so it will be beautiful.
―Nootka Song

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Reference

396 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

My uncle was recently arguing with someone on Facebook (because that's just what he does) and he said that religion causes all sorts of problems in the world, but prayer has never hurt a soul. I thought that was an insightful comment that got me thinking about prayer and praying. I did a bit of research on the internet, poked around in my own books, then bought this one. Written by the same author as The Little Zen Companion (which a friend gave to me many years ago), The Little Book of Prayers is a collection of prayers from many different cultures and faith traditions. Most of the prayers sort of bounced off of me, but I found some of them to be beautiful.

So here is the question: why pray? To whom or what do you pray? Is prayer just a form of meditation the can impart physical and psychological benefits on the person praying for the same reason that things like mindfulness and CBT are so beneficial? Does prayer somehow connect the person praying to an invisible, supernatural force? Or is there really a beneficent, kind God out there who listens? I have no idea, to be honest. For me, prayer makes me feel less alone in the universe. If reality is what I think it is--we are little splotches of carbon on a rock hurling around a giant ball of fire in the vast empty blackness of space--prayer is a sort of pacifier for people who are afraid to face reality. But, prayer actually makes people feel better. It 'works' in that those who pray are comforted, consoled, inspired, and elevated. Is all of that just a psychological artifact? Or is there really some greater reality that human beings can tune in to when they place their bodies and minds in a certain state of openness?

Prayer is very much related to faith, something I don't have much of, but I have to admit that praying is beneficial for me (and for billions of other humans). As my uncle said, it is harmless, so why not pray? And who knows? Maybe someone or something is out there listening. Or maybe prayer changes us and makes us more like whatever that something is ("The eye with which I see God is the same eye with which God sees me.") Or maybe prayer is just a way for us to calm our minds and bodies, and to relax and detox from stress. For a guy like me, a Christian-Atheist-Humanist-Pantheist, prayer is about the only thing I can do that doesn't make me crazy (I've tried meditation with very little success).

All in all, a good book filled with some beautiful writing, and some deeply human expressions of sorrow, of longing, and of gratitude. How can any of that be bad?

[Rick Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of prayers and poems of worship...across cultures, faiths, and generations. It is a testament to the commonality of all humans. We seek answers and comfort. We seek peace. Inspirational.

[Autumn Kovach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book online during work breaks. It was so nice to have something to turn to during the day. A few of my favorites:

"God help us to live slowly: To move simply: To look softly: To allow emptiness: To let the heart create for us. Amen."
-Michael Leunig

When I am liberated by silence, when I am no longer involved in the measurement of life, but in the living of it, I can discover a form of prayer in which there is effectively no distraction. My whole life becomes a prayer. My whole silence is full of prayer. The world of silence in which I am immersed contributes to my prayer.
- Thomas Merton

Lord, you are my lover,
My longing,
My flowing stream,
My sun,
And I am your reflection.
-Mechthild of Magdeburg

[Scribblescribe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a smattering of different prayers from different religions. I wasn't a huge fan of it because I felt as if I wanted more out of it. But I will try to keep in mind that it has given me the basic premise and outline of what a prayer looks like. This book is probably better for occasional perusal than it is to read straight through.

There were many "prayers" in it that were really just poems. So, it wasn't a book full of prayers as it was advertised. The author filled the book with whatever he wanted and that was obvious.

However, there were some beautiful prayers in it.

I just wanted a more comprehensive and informative book.

[Joyceanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very special little book that has been my companion for many years. The prayers, poems, musings, and excerpts from traditional prayers are a wonderful way to sit and reflect upon the words of others. Each prayer in on one page, with a few minor exceptions.

[Alexandra Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tremendous "little" book. I keep it in the reference section of my library and seek its counsel when I need a spiritual check-in and perspective from all religions.

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book as a gift for graduating seniors. Spot on.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the diversity of prayer.

[Martha Anne Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Schiller's The Little Book of Prayers is quite a nice little book. The book, published in 1996, contains prayers and comments on prayers reflecting a variety of cultures, throughout the ages. From the Psalms and the Upanishads to Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, the selection is eclectic and the purpose seems more ecumenical than theological. For this reader, a number of the prayers inspired further religious reflection, but my interest in many (if not most) of the writings was more about the different writers and their historical and cultural contexts. I had to go to "Google" for that information, since the book shares only basic author and title information, but the searches were informative and oftentimes inspiring. One writer who stands out as a "new" discovery for me is Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, scholar, and mystic. Schiller describes the "mood" of the arrangement as light to dark, or morning to night, with a touch of "serendipity." He also provides a full index and a guide to the prayers by topic, occasion, and time of day. I used the book as part of my daily readings, so I was a little disappointed that there was not a full year of entries. I noticed at his website (http://www.davidschiller.com/) that Schiller also has a Prayer for Every Day calendar for 2017, as well as a calendars for his The Little Zen Companion book and his book on guitars. He also has a book written in 2002 entitled God: A Companion for Seekers that I have added to my To Read list. If anything like The Little Book of Prayers, it will definitely be a good read. [Posted to Goodreads 10 December 2016.]

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of common and uncommon prayers gathered from around the world. I read a few pages every morning over several weeks and found it was a great way to *charge my inner battery* for the day ahead.
I am a member of Bookcrossing and wild released this book at the Woodland Cemetery located near the Wright Brothers Museum in
Dayton, Ohio on Oct.5,2012.
(On the bench next to Erma Bombeck's final resting place.)

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A general book of prayers for Protestant children. Contains the most common Christian prayers.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! Will re-read for sure!