What do you think?
Rate this book
Prayer Seeds: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections, and Poems for Spiritual Growth
Named one of the 50 best spiritual books of 2017 by Spirituality & Practice. Winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Prayer Collections (First Place). and a 2018 Association of Catholic Publishers Prayer & Spirituality (First Place).
Some of Sr. Joyce Rupp’s most perennially popular books have been collections of her original prayers, blessings, poems, and reflections. In Prayer Seeds , the bestselling author and retreat leader offers almost a hundred new selections on a variety of themes such as the feasts and seasons of the liturgical year, compassion, ministry, difficult times, and important events—all suitable for personal or group prayer.
People who attend Rupp’s retreats or workshops often approach her to ask for a copy of a prayer that she composed for the event. In 2000, she collected her prayers in the book Out of the Ordinary . In Prayer Seeds , Rupp follows up with about a hundred never-before-published prayers written since the publication of the first collection. The prayers are organized thematically.
Rupp’s warmth and closeness to God along with her sensitivity to the joy and sadness of life make her an ideal prayer companion. Her prayers are like seed planted in your soul. Tended and watered by love, they will grow and bear a rich harvest in your life.
Some of Sr. Joyce Rupp’s most perennially popular books have been collections of her original prayers, blessings, poems, and reflections. In Prayer Seeds , the bestselling author and retreat leader offers almost a hundred new selections on a variety of themes such as the feasts and seasons of the liturgical year, compassion, ministry, difficult times, and important events—all suitable for personal or group prayer.
People who attend Rupp’s retreats or workshops often approach her to ask for a copy of a prayer that she composed for the event. In 2000, she collected her prayers in the book Out of the Ordinary . In Prayer Seeds , Rupp follows up with about a hundred never-before-published prayers written since the publication of the first collection. The prayers are organized thematically.
Rupp’s warmth and closeness to God along with her sensitivity to the joy and sadness of life make her an ideal prayer companion. Her prayers are like seed planted in your soul. Tended and watered by love, they will grow and bear a rich harvest in your life.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2017
36 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Rupp
65 books74 followers Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 14, 2017
I have yet to come across a book by Joyce Rupp that I didn’t enjoy and find spiritually nourishing. Prayer Seeds: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections, and Poems for Spiritual Growth is more of the same great writing that leads to meaningful contemplation that I have come to expect from one of my favorite authors. As someone who writes prose, poetry, and prayers, I appreciate the depth of her insights crafted into poignant words others can easily use in their own intercessions, Scripture studies, and retreats.
In the introduction, Joyce Rupp explains that “[e]ach resource in this book is a type of spiritual seed. The selections hold the possibility of yielding a harvest of personal reflection and communal prayer. Some are in the germination stage and will require watering from additional ideas and resources in order to fully activate the potential they hold. Others are partially grown and will only need minor tending. A handful…are fully grown and ready for use, supplying all that is needed for harvesting a prayerful experience.” (p. IX)
Tasked with leading the first prayer time of a women’s retreat this fall, I grabbed Prayer Seeds certain I would find the perfect jumping off point for our weekend. I decided upon a meditation that is best when read slowly to a group who has their eyes closed and can contemplate the words and people who come to mind. All Saints and All Souls’ days were leading up to our weekend away, so “A Blessing of the Saints” fit perfectly.
Everything in the book is organized by season, topic, and/or life event, so you can quickly find a short piece to share that is perfect for reflection as an individual or as a group. There are blessings for a variety of occasions, including: bringing in the harvest, entering a fresh day of life, spring equinox rejoicing, moving to a nursing home, as well as the closing of a casket.
The image of a seed appeals to me for many reasons, not the least of which, it holds so much life and potential inside such a small space. Prayer can be equally as powerful and fruitful.
I pray that this book and the reflection it leads to will help you as you are harvesting God’s abundance.
In the introduction, Joyce Rupp explains that “[e]ach resource in this book is a type of spiritual seed. The selections hold the possibility of yielding a harvest of personal reflection and communal prayer. Some are in the germination stage and will require watering from additional ideas and resources in order to fully activate the potential they hold. Others are partially grown and will only need minor tending. A handful…are fully grown and ready for use, supplying all that is needed for harvesting a prayerful experience.” (p. IX)
Tasked with leading the first prayer time of a women’s retreat this fall, I grabbed Prayer Seeds certain I would find the perfect jumping off point for our weekend. I decided upon a meditation that is best when read slowly to a group who has their eyes closed and can contemplate the words and people who come to mind. All Saints and All Souls’ days were leading up to our weekend away, so “A Blessing of the Saints” fit perfectly.
Everything in the book is organized by season, topic, and/or life event, so you can quickly find a short piece to share that is perfect for reflection as an individual or as a group. There are blessings for a variety of occasions, including: bringing in the harvest, entering a fresh day of life, spring equinox rejoicing, moving to a nursing home, as well as the closing of a casket.
The image of a seed appeals to me for many reasons, not the least of which, it holds so much life and potential inside such a small space. Prayer can be equally as powerful and fruitful.
I pray that this book and the reflection it leads to will help you as you are harvesting God’s abundance.
July 31, 2023
Beautiful book with words of wisdom on each page. I love Joyce Rupp and devour her books. This book is a silent retreat, a refuge of peace and hope, best savored in a rocker on the porch with a cup of tea. My pug kept me company while reading and the sound of the waterfall in the background was glorious. As a gardener, I was drawn to the title and it was everything I was looking forward to and more.
April 1, 2017
This is such a beautiful book a real treasure trove of prayers, blessings and reflections for use throughout the year. I think it would make a lovely gift for prayer group leaders or someone who's looking to revitalise their reflective prayer life.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Ave Maria Press for my digital copy.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Ave Maria Press for my digital copy.
March 8, 2024
God bless my friend Ellen who introduced me to Joyce Rupp. I love her clear, loving, and deeply moving prayers and poems.
Here are just a few of the passages I loved in this book:
All Christians are called to be hospitable, but it is more than serving a meal or filling a bed, opening our door—it is to open ourselves, our hearts, to the needs of others.
Hospitality is not just shelter, but the quality of welcome behind it.—Dorothy Day
Though we need to weep your loss, you dwell in that safe place in our hearts where no storm or night or pain can reach you.—John O'Donohue
The aim of spiritual practice, no matter its form, is to untangle the nets that living snares us in.—Mark Nepo
Here are just a few of the passages I loved in this book:
All Christians are called to be hospitable, but it is more than serving a meal or filling a bed, opening our door—it is to open ourselves, our hearts, to the needs of others.
Hospitality is not just shelter, but the quality of welcome behind it.—Dorothy Day
Though we need to weep your loss, you dwell in that safe place in our hearts where no storm or night or pain can reach you.—John O'Donohue
The aim of spiritual practice, no matter its form, is to untangle the nets that living snares us in.—Mark Nepo
April 19, 2017
another wonderful read, never disappoints
I read during lent, reflective
I always turn to sr.joyce rupp for prayers for all seasons
Planning to use for my book/prayer grp
I read during lent, reflective
I always turn to sr.joyce rupp for prayers for all seasons
Planning to use for my book/prayer grp
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews