The Uncommon Book of Prayer: A Guide to Co-Creating with the Universe

by Heidi Smith, Chelsea Granger (illustrator)

Build and deepen your personal spiritual practice with this empowering, radical reframing of prayer as a secular tool for healing, personal growth, societal change, and profound joy.

Prayer is an ancient practice—one that has been utilized and embraced by cultures around the world and across time. There is not one correct way to pray, and no tradition holds a monopoly on what prayer is or means. In The Uncommon Book of Prayer author, psychosomatic therapist, and flower essence practitioner Heidi Smith reveals that prayer does not even need to be practiced within a religious tradition, though it can be. Instead, she reintroduces readers to the idea of prayer as a highly personal practice that can bring joy and enlightenment, heal deeply felt trauma, and work toward planetary healing.

Readers will encounter a new definition of prayer: An active agreement that you make between your soul and the Divine (whatever that means to you). It is a sacred practice that can be called upon to bring about states of grace, healing, and change. Through this expansive, heart-centered experience readers will explore their own existing feelings about prayer and learn to build a personal practice that is authentic and sustaining.

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Alexis || abookandAstory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the universe knew this was exactly what I needed. I’ve added so many tabs and highlights, I can’t wait to come back to this over the next year and really work on my spiritual journey.

“The very act of placing one’s attention on something creates change” I love the way this book melds so many ideas and practices into one cohesive piece.

“If we leave out what we think prayer “should” look like, can we come as we are to this practice?”

I really appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from discussing WHY a lot of people shy away from prayer.

“What we believe plays a big role in how we feel and how we heal. However, most of our beliefs have been colonized, meaning they are the results of the cultural history of power dynamics in our society, rather than the truths that come from within.”

If you have stepped away from organized religion but really want to maintain a spiritual connection, I think this is absolutely the book for you.

“We must stop waiting for permission to unlock capabilities that are already intrinsic to each of us… You don’t need permission to define what is sacred for you. Nobody can tell you what your relationship to divinity looks like.”

I’m so so grateful for the gift that was this book. Thank you to Goodreads, Heidi Smith, and Running Press Publishers for the ARC!

[LL · Rating 2 out of 5]

“First they came to take our land and water, then our fish and game. Then they wanted our mineral resources and, to get them, they tried to take our governments. Now they want our religions as well. All of a sudden, we have a lot of unscrupulous idiots running around saying they’re medicine people. And they’ll sell you a sweat lodge ceremony for 50 bucks. It’s not only wrong, it’s obscene. Indians don’t sell their spirituality to anybody, for any price. This is just another in a very long series of thefts from Indian people and, in some ways, this is the worst one yet.” --Janet McCloud

I tried to give this a fair chance and let my reaction settle before reviewing, but this book is some icky nonsense. Trying to force a Euro-centric Chisto-centric interpretation on other cultures, histories and religions. It's the barest minimum to toss in a (too brief) section on cultural appropriation... on page 144, further emphasizing what a disingenuous afterthought that is.

The book wants to give the appearance of being insightful and respectful, but it is neither.

“These people run off to reservations acting all lost and hopeless, really pathetic. So, some elder is nice enough, considerate enough to be kind to them, and how do they repay this generosity? After 15 minutes with a spiritual leader, they consider themselves ‘certified’ medicine people, and then run amok, ‘spreading the word’—for a fee." --Janet McCloud

The book design is beautiful, gorgeous. Too bad that fine work is wasted on this.


I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.

[Ronald Schoedel III · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of prayer is universal, and Heidi Smith wants readers to know there is not just one right way to pray. You don’t even have to be particularly religious, or even if a certain religion, to gain the benefit of finding a connection with the divine, or the universe, or however you see fit to phrase it. I’m all for everyone and anyone discovering their connection to divinity. The practices and ideas Smith provides make it easy for anyone to do so. I am a Christian and find that prayer for me takes many shapes and forms. Set prayers (such as those in the book from which this title derives its name, the Book of Common Prayer), as well as extemporaneous prayers, mindful breathing, contemplation, silent meditation, are all meaningful ways to ground oneself in the kindness that is God or the universe. Prayer is also a lifestyle, a thing we live as much as say or do. Smith gives us a bit of background to various forms and beliefs surrounding prayer around the various traditions.

To that end, I see Smith’s defining of prayer (as well as what it ought not to be, such as excessive worry) as an entry point for all persons of whatever faith or none to gain the scientifically proven advantages of prayer. Resilience, a life of joy and gratitude, and immersing oneself in the grace that flows around us can bring healing and peace in ways we might not have known.

I suspect some Christians and others of organized religion will not find this book to their liking, and that’s ok. You be who you are and those who find these practices and exercises will maybe discover some of the magic we’ve known about.

I should also mention, the book is just plain beautiful.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Uncommon Book of Prayer by Heidi Smith is a very interesting compilation of the understanding of prayer from various faith perspectives. I read this book to better gain an understanding of other cultural and religious belief systems and their view on prayer. As a recently certified End-of-Life-Doula, I found the information contained in the book to be very thorough and enlightening. Many views I did not personally agree with, but living in a society where there are so many differing belief systems, gave me understanding of what prayer means for each of these systems. The author did a great job in researching various angles of prayer and created a book that I feel is very complete in content, for those looking at the different belief systems on prayer in the world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Group, a division of Hatchette Book Group Publishers, for the advanced review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot here. Like too much. I felt like Smith was just throwing a variety of rituals against the wall just to see what would stick. At first, I thought these different views and processes were to help clients find what was best for them but once Smith brought in the Wendigo and consuming, I knew I couldn't take this seriously.

Most everything here is good stuff but you should go to the source to learn more. My favorite part of the book is when Smith talks about cultural appropriation. I was very proud of her understanding these and making her clients do as well.

I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Uncommon Book of Prayer a Guide to Co- Creating with the Universe is a great book for researching and learning the history of prayer from around the world. This book will not only teach you about prayer it shows you how to apply the discipline of prayer to your everyday life in easy actionable steps. What I really loved about this book is that it's not exclusive to one particular belief or religion. The prayers and teachings can be used by literally everyone to enhance and improve their life and tap into the unseen world of faith.

[Megan Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking for this book for my whole life. Thank you to the author for writing this and for bravely taking on the task of bringing together these tangled web of words/practices (prayer, manifestation, co-creation, etc) and tenderly and delicately unwinding them into something that speaks directly to my heart/source connection 🫶

[Stacy Hickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of this book are beautiful and helpful in understanding how the author is weaving together the elements of prayer. It took me a while to read for the concepts of what and how to communicate with wonder and awe with the divine. I’m not really sure if I can walk away from this book with a better understanding of prayer. But it is a great resource in the mechanics of it.

[Spinster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really pretty book. I was stressed out when I started reading it and felt calm by the end even without using any of the prayers. I appreciate that the author mentioned climate grief and grief for the world.