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Prayer Works: Getting a Grip on Catholic Spirituality
If you've never read a book on prayer, this is the right one. And if you've read lots of books on prayer, it's still the right one. It's got laugh-out-loud humor, great storytelling, and rock-solid instruction in a fun and fast-paced read.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
151 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Leonard
18 books17 followersMatthew Leonard is an internationally known speaker, author, and Executive Director of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit founded by Dr. Scott Hahn.
A convert to Catholicism and former missionary to Latin America, Matthew is a frequent guest on radio stations around the world and has appeared on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He is also featured by Lighthouse Catholic Media. His first book, "Louder Than Words: The Art of Living as a Catholic" is published through Our Sunday Visitor.
A convert to Catholicism and former missionary to Latin America, Matthew is a frequent guest on radio stations around the world and has appeared on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He is also featured by Lighthouse Catholic Media. His first book, "Louder Than Words: The Art of Living as a Catholic" is published through Our Sunday Visitor.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 24, 2025
To this non Catholic, the book explained some dogma and rites from the perspective of the Catholic faith. Some I had to look up as they weren't explained: An adoration chapel? The several sacraments? A confirmation name? He explained other ideas better: praying for the dead, the adoration of and prayers to Mary, prayer to the saints.... Leonard also details the progression of the spiritual life and of prayer. All is told with levity. For example, he often shares the innocent and amusing faith of his kids, from their prayers for a dog (obviously, more powerful than his against a dog); His daughter's amen to his brother-in-law's longish meal prayer before he was done; realizing that "toddlers undergoing potty training are the most praised people on earth"; A child's request "to deliver us from Nemo." Leonard humorously asserts that Noah and God "spent a fair amount of time conversing about the weather"; Abraham "tried to negotiate fire insurance for Sodom and Gomorrah"; Don't drink the Kool-Aid, even if you like the red mustache.
Lines and ideas I liked, many from the Catechism: Prayer is "homage to God's providence." "Prayers of repentance and adoration crush pride, the main obstacle to grace." "The spiritual life is not a sprint; it's a marathon." "Growth in prayer is indicated by overall growth in virtues, a life lived more like Christ's." "Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but on the fervor of our souls." "If pride is the root of sin, humility is the taproot of all the virtues." To pray with the Bible, one should follow this order: 1. Read 2. Meditate 3. Pray 4. Contemplate. "Prayer is the surge of the heart." "In prayer, we're whispering our love to God, who IS love." God knows what is best from a divine perspective as he did in answering Jesus' prayer "to let this cup pass." God answered for the best for all mankind, and Jesus was ready by accepting God's will in the matter. The final chapter on abandonment to divine providence was especially noteworthy.
I recommend the book whether you are a Catholic or not. It has ideas you can use--or not.
Lines and ideas I liked, many from the Catechism: Prayer is "homage to God's providence." "Prayers of repentance and adoration crush pride, the main obstacle to grace." "The spiritual life is not a sprint; it's a marathon." "Growth in prayer is indicated by overall growth in virtues, a life lived more like Christ's." "Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but on the fervor of our souls." "If pride is the root of sin, humility is the taproot of all the virtues." To pray with the Bible, one should follow this order: 1. Read 2. Meditate 3. Pray 4. Contemplate. "Prayer is the surge of the heart." "In prayer, we're whispering our love to God, who IS love." God knows what is best from a divine perspective as he did in answering Jesus' prayer "to let this cup pass." God answered for the best for all mankind, and Jesus was ready by accepting God's will in the matter. The final chapter on abandonment to divine providence was especially noteworthy.
I recommend the book whether you are a Catholic or not. It has ideas you can use--or not.
February 24, 2022
Get this book. Read it. absorb it. Practice it.
Matthew Leonard’s book, Prayer Works, is not unlike a roadmap to sainthood. With humor and clarity, Leonard offers an outline of Catholic spirituality, identifying the prayers and practices that will lead to growth in holiness. Beginning with vocal prayer, in which we offer prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer, we advance to mental prayer, that is, meditation. By God’s grace we may at some point experience an even deeper level of intimacy with God through contemplative prayer. Leonard, relying on longstanding tradition, charts the course of the journey of the soul through the Purgative Way (drawing on grace to overcome sinful practices) to the Illuminative Way (relying on grace to develop the practice of Christlike virtues), and then to the Unitive Way (experiencing the grace of Christian maturity). I recommend this book to anyone who wants to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Leonard approaches the spiritual life from a clearly Catholic perspective, but even non-Catholics stand to benefit from his treatment of the subject. This book offers more than mere information, however. Its best use will be as a manual for putting its principles into practice.
Matthew Leonard’s book, Prayer Works, is not unlike a roadmap to sainthood. With humor and clarity, Leonard offers an outline of Catholic spirituality, identifying the prayers and practices that will lead to growth in holiness. Beginning with vocal prayer, in which we offer prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer, we advance to mental prayer, that is, meditation. By God’s grace we may at some point experience an even deeper level of intimacy with God through contemplative prayer. Leonard, relying on longstanding tradition, charts the course of the journey of the soul through the Purgative Way (drawing on grace to overcome sinful practices) to the Illuminative Way (relying on grace to develop the practice of Christlike virtues), and then to the Unitive Way (experiencing the grace of Christian maturity). I recommend this book to anyone who wants to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Leonard approaches the spiritual life from a clearly Catholic perspective, but even non-Catholics stand to benefit from his treatment of the subject. This book offers more than mere information, however. Its best use will be as a manual for putting its principles into practice.
June 23, 2018
Well said!
I have struggled over just what exactly is considered a healthy prayer life. What method of prayer should I engage in? Matt takes the whole topic and puts it all in perspective and adds his own personal humor to keep you focused on this topic. The idea of prayer no longer overwhelms me and I now look forward to growing in my prayer life. I am very thankful for having the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
I have struggled over just what exactly is considered a healthy prayer life. What method of prayer should I engage in? Matt takes the whole topic and puts it all in perspective and adds his own personal humor to keep you focused on this topic. The idea of prayer no longer overwhelms me and I now look forward to growing in my prayer life. I am very thankful for having the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
June 24, 2018
This book rocks!
So many questions I had about prayer were answered in this book; even questions I couldn't put into words. The stages of faith, the types of prayer were defined clearly. My understanding of some of the things I've been through in my spiritual growth lets me know I'm on the right track, and travelling in the right direction. A must-read for Catholics seeking a new level of spirituality.
So many questions I had about prayer were answered in this book; even questions I couldn't put into words. The stages of faith, the types of prayer were defined clearly. My understanding of some of the things I've been through in my spiritual growth lets me know I'm on the right track, and travelling in the right direction. A must-read for Catholics seeking a new level of spirituality.
September 23, 2018
This book is written in an easy, conversational style and covers all the aspects of prayer from a Catholic perspective. This would be a really good book for someone wanting a thorough overview - from ideas like meditation, contemplation, prayer & suffering, praying through Scripture (Lectio), Liturgy of the Hours, Mary, the Saints.
March 15, 2022
This is a solid overview of different types of prayer and of a life of prayer in general. The treatment of the Lord's Prayer is particularly insightful. Mr. Leonard is a good speaker; the book suffers from its oral style. The barrage of quips and cute stories distracts from the content.
The book is broad based and thus should be helpful to anyone wishing to grow in prayer.
The book is broad based and thus should be helpful to anyone wishing to grow in prayer.
May 15, 2022
Good read
A good book on prayer and spirituality, written from a Catholic perspective. Who doesn't need help in improving on the depth of their spiritual life? I would read more of this author's books.
A good book on prayer and spirituality, written from a Catholic perspective. Who doesn't need help in improving on the depth of their spiritual life? I would read more of this author's books.
November 14, 2022
I read this book in one day - it’s that good!
I’ve highlighted and written so many notes to take into my own prayer life to make it better and thus allow a deeper union with God.
A must read for all Catholics.
I’ve highlighted and written so many notes to take into my own prayer life to make it better and thus allow a deeper union with God.
A must read for all Catholics.
April 2, 2024
The book contains good information; nothing was new--all things I've read in other books.
Matthew Leonard uses a lot of humor in the book, and for some people, that's a plus; it keeps them interested. I found it distracting more often than not.
Matthew Leonard uses a lot of humor in the book, and for some people, that's a plus; it keeps them interested. I found it distracting more often than not.
May 19, 2017
Very readable, humorous but thought-provoking. And I intend to reread it....it's that informative!
June 15, 2018
4 1/2 stars. Really good explanation of the different levels of prayer and their purpose.
April 27, 2019
Nice, short, accessible introduction to Catholic spirituality.
May 20, 2019
Such a good book. Since reading it, I've been able to hear the small still voice of God.
October 11, 2021
Great synthesis of prayer and the nurturing of our spiritual lives in relationship with the God we should abandon ourselves to. And humor to boot!
November 12, 2022
Great read
Good plan for holiness. Bring many of the Doctors of the Church to life here and now. Read and pray
Good plan for holiness. Bring many of the Doctors of the Church to life here and now. Read and pray
August 20, 2025
It’s a great little book. I’m not much one got his style of humor, but a couple of his lines got a chuckle out of me. There are some great pointers to help encourage and enhance your prayer life.
November 14, 2016
Prayer is something I really wish I was better at. Every time I sit down to pray, instead of quieting my mind, it immediately starts to wander. Sometimes, it is merely idle thoughts of nothingness, and worse times it is like Satan is attacking me and making me think wicked thoughts. I have read a multitude of books on the matter, and they all help to some degree or another, but only for so long. That doesn't stop me from reading more books on the subject. Today, I would like to tell you about Prayer Works! by Matthew Leonard.
The book begins with a Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn, which introduces us to the author and tells us why he is qualified to write this book. Chapters then follow that answer questions like why we should pray, what prayer is, how it works, etc. There are also chapters that talk about the different ways to pray, including talking to God, meditation, contemplation, and just silence. The chapter I found the most useful was "How to Progress." This is always a struggle for me, but Matthew Leonard gives the advice to persevere, stay humble, embrace suffering, and go to Penance.
Prayer Works! is a short work at only 150+ pages, but it offers sound and practical advice for people in the beginning stages of their prayer life or those looking to go a little bit deeper. This book won't immediately make you a saint who prays without ceasing, but if you follow the advice in the book, it will get you on the right path.
The book begins with a Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn, which introduces us to the author and tells us why he is qualified to write this book. Chapters then follow that answer questions like why we should pray, what prayer is, how it works, etc. There are also chapters that talk about the different ways to pray, including talking to God, meditation, contemplation, and just silence. The chapter I found the most useful was "How to Progress." This is always a struggle for me, but Matthew Leonard gives the advice to persevere, stay humble, embrace suffering, and go to Penance.
Prayer Works! is a short work at only 150+ pages, but it offers sound and practical advice for people in the beginning stages of their prayer life or those looking to go a little bit deeper. This book won't immediately make you a saint who prays without ceasing, but if you follow the advice in the book, it will get you on the right path.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews