Christian Teachings on the Practice of Prayer: From the Early Church to the Present

by Lorraine Kisly

From John Chrysostom in the fourth century to Teresa of Avila in the sixteenth to William Butler Yeats in the twentieth, this wide-ranging collection is a treasury of writings on prayer from throughout the history of Christianity. Lorraine Kisly has arranged the material according to the great general themes of prayer—such as praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and purification—to make this anthology serve as a course in Christian prayer for anyone, as well as a marvelous companion for the contemplative journey in general. "If this book is read truly," says Bishop Seraphim Sigrist, in his introduction, "the reader will surely find the beginning of prayer itself, and this is to open another book with no end at all."



Christian Teachings on the Practice of Prayer features writings

 
   •  Angela of Foligno
   •  Augustine of Hippo
   •  Bernard of Clairvaux
   •  Dietrich Bonhoeffer
   •  Ephrem of Syria
   •  Francis of Assisi
   •  John Donne
   •  George Fox
   •  C. G. Jung
   •  Søren Kierkegaard
   •  C. S. Lewis
   •  Martin Luther
   •  Thomas Merton
   •  Meister Eckhart
   •  Henri Nouwen
   •  Flannery O'Connor
   •  Marguerite Porete
   •  Seraphin of Sarov
   •  Teresa of Avila
   •  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
   •  John Wesley
   •  Evelyn Underhill
   •  many more

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2006

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't rate this book highly enough. I bought it some years ago and it sat on my shelf for quite a while.. yet now, it is my daily companion. It is a wonderful collection of short pieces from the saints, theologians, holy people, awakened beings across the years.. and offers such wisdom from the true heart.. a guide that goes deep into the wordless place within us that drinks in such wisdom like the divine nectar it is. I can't imagine ever being without it. I spent time dipping in randomly for my daily hit.. although now I have decided to go from the beginning, on the journey it will take me on through each short yet rich section.. already I am loving doing it this way.. brings me so much joy, such peace, and recognition of that which is truly real. Such a blessing.