The School of Prayer: General Audience Talks on Christian Prayer

by Pope Benedict XVI, Bartholomew Okonkwo (Editor)

The power of faith-filled prayer influences not only the lives of those prayed for, but also the life of the one who prays. But many feel inadequate to pray or don’t know exactly how to go about it. These profound General Audience Talks on both the history and methods of prayer speaks both to those who are comfortable with prayer and have been praying for years, as well as to those who are new to the practice. In comparing Sacred Scripture, the great tradition of the Fathers of the Church, of the Teachers of spirituality and of the Liturgy, these meditations offers promises of peace and hope through a closer relationship with God, even more intensely as it were at a “school of prayer”. As an accessible, rich, sweeping overview on prayer, "THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER" offers both history and devotion. Pope Benedict shows how the greatest Catholic leaders throughout the centuries cultivated a life of prayer and how we can do the same today. Although Benedict provides a sweeping survey of great figures of prayer, his discussion centers on Jesus Christ and even invokes him in the study of prayer. "It is in fact in Jesus," writes Benedict, "that man becomes able to approach God in the depth and intimacy of the relationship of fatherhood and sonship. Together with the first disciples, let us now turn with humble trust to the Teacher and ask 'Lord, teach us to pray' (Lk 11:1)."

218 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2012

About the author

Originally Joseph Ratzinger , a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.

After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.

Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.

Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.

Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.

Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.

(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)

Reviews

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book of catecheses on Christian prayer. Richly Scriptural from start to finish, and beautifully evangelical. A joy to read, and edifying. The one thing I will say is that it could have used a better copy editor, though I was reading on my Kindle, and it might have been better in print.

[Michael Kirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound reflections on what our kind, some more, some less, have been doing from time immemorial. Inspirational and practical. He is a master-teacher of the spiritual life.

[Cynthia Haehnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on prayer

No one or pope rather can touch the heart in his writing like pope Benedict. This collection of his talks covers every form of prayer using scripture and wisdom.