Flee, Be Silent, Pray: An Anxious Evangelical Finds Peace with God through Contemplative Prayer

by Ed Cyzewski

When daily prayer and Bible study leaves a Christian anxious, doubtful, and frustrated, is there any hope for finding peace with God?

Ed Cyzewski grew up in a restrictive Catholic Church, immersed himself in the hard-working world of evangelical Christianity as the path to knowing God, and then graduated uncertain about praying or finding God. The Christian prayer tradition known as contemplation, primarily preserved in monasteries through practices such as centering prayer, was the answer he didn’t want to find. If his Protestant faith was going to survive, he needed to move beyond his past grudges in order to learn Christian meditation and contemplative prayer from Catholic teachers.

Contemplative prayer goes beyond the limits of Bible study and experiences the loving presence of God described in the scriptures. While scripture and spiritual disciplines have their place, Cyzewski learned that the unstoppable love of God forms the foundation of all Christian spirituality, and that daily contemplative prayer helps us rest in God’s loving presence.

Using Henrí Nouwen’s The Way of the Heart to highlight the three movements into contemplation with the words flee, be silent, pray, Cyzewski found what it means to quiet his religious anxiety by resting in the love of God. Anxious evangelicals and Christians on the brink of losing their faith will find an accessible path toward using this simple, proven approach to daily prayer.

Genres: Spirituality, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction, Prayer, Christianity, Christian

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2017

About the author

Ed Cyzewski is an author and editor north of Nashville. His books include Flee, Be Silent, Pray; Reconnect; Creative Renewal; and the Christian Survival Guide. Sign up for his bi-weekly newsletter for soul care ideas and book updates/discounts at www.edcyzewski.com.

Books by Ed Cyzewski
- Flee, Be Silent, Pray: Ancient Prayers for Anxious Christians
- Reconnect: Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction
- The Good News of Revelation
- Hazardous: Committing to the Cost of Following Jesus
- Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life
- Creating Space: The Case for Everyday Creativity

Reviews

[Miah Oren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish my church had read this book when I was growing up. So often as an evangelical, silence is dismissed in favor of spectacle, of performance, and filling space with impressive-sounding words. I quickly learned that as a person who favored silence and solitude, I didn't quite belong.

Ed Cyzewski's book encourages us to escape the pressure of our busy, productivity-addicted culture by exploring what silence and solitude have to offer our anxious hearts, minds, and bodies by being fully present. It charts a path away from a task-driven anxious faith toward a deeper peace with God.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is exhausted or anxious in their faith.

I received an advance review copy of this book.

[Natalie Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

While my Christian culture isn't American evangelical, I do suffer with anxiety and grew up in a Christian culture that emphasizes duty and obedience, and often treats faith as an intellectual matter. This book is a lifeline. It encourages us to bring more rest into our spiritual practices, to spend time in God's presence, to release our need for results and definable progress, to release our use of mountain-top experiences and stunning revelations as proof that we're on the right track. Flee, Be Silent, Pray is a call to return to our spiritual roots and to the time-tested practices of the desert fathers and mothers, a call to let our spiritual roots extend way down deep in God's love for us, which we can do nothing to earn and which can utterly transform us. I've been on that path of seeking to rest more in God, of adding gentleness with myself to my spiritual practices, of accepting my status as God's beloved child, and this book is a tremendous encouragement to keep going.

Many moments made me cry, this one especially, because I can never hear it enough: "Whether you need a booming voice from heaven to shake you free from your anxious thoughts or you need a gentle whisper to call you back to your first love, God is speaking to you right now in this place...This message is for you if you can take it on faith, even right now: 'You are my child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"

[Heather Caliri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book proved to be a deep exhale and release from a lot of anxiety about contemplative prayer. I've been drawn into these powerful practices in recent years, but my perfectionism and anxiety made it hard to practice regularly, or feel like my experience was "successful". I also had practical questions: when--how--how much--and that niggling anxiety, -am I doing it right?-
Ed's gentle book gives readers a good introduction to the history and theological underpinnings of contemplative prayer. He demystifies the practices without being prescriptive or reductive. He emphasizes again and again that the journey into contemplation is the point, not any 'results' we achieve.
I found his incredibly kind, gracious book a huge relief. I look at my practice with different, more calm eyes, and feel connected to God because of the decrease in anxiety the book helped engender. Though I feel like Ed's book is a good jumping off point, and not the end-all-be-all of contemplative books, I would guess he would agree--it's precisely his point. He provides so many helpful quotes and references to writers with more experience in these disciplines that his book is a great primer. Readers interested in deeper knowledge of these disciplines have a built in bibliography to guide them.
Highly recommended, especially if contemplative disciplines make you nervous.

[JD Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Cyzewski's newest book is the primer to spiritual practices that everyone anxious (or cynical) evangelical needs. A person could spend hours collecting different articles and books on the subject, and weeks reading them. Cyzewski condenses all of this and makes it accessible, with anecdotes that demonstrate how to put these practices into daily use and a list of resources for further explanation. I received an advanced copy and have already encouraged my friends to purchase it.

[Lisa notes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we think we don’t pray enough or don’t do it right, this book can erase our anxiety. Ed Cyzewski presents fresh (yet age-old) ideas about how to enjoy God’s presence through prayer in quieter ways, using less words but with just as much meaning. Topics include praying through the words of others (Psalms, Jesus’ prayers, etc.), praying with the Examen and Divine Hours, and praying in silence (Centering Prayer, etc.)

Whether you’re new to contemplative prayer or have been doing it for years, this book will inspire your practice and increase your awareness of the presence of God. I appreciate getting to read an advance copy of this book.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a balm for my weary and wounded soul. I'm in the midst of recalibrating my own faith after a season of disillusionment. I appreciated Ed's story, and within it, I recognized parts of my own. I resonated with his encouragement to stop all anxious striving and learn to rest in God's love. I found his suggestions for contemplative practices to be accessible and practical. I will keep this book close as a companion and guide.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so refreshing to read a book about a spiritual practice and feel relieved rather than pressured, excited rather than anxious. In this book, Ed offers evangelicals another way to spiritual growth. A way that can't be measured or controlled, one that is unpredictable and a little bit scary. I can't wait to get started on my contemplative prayer journey.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Real Treasure

Having been an anxious Evangelical for many years, this book is truly a Godsend. It confirms so many of the things God has been teaching me about simply being with Him, living in His presence. Contemplative prayer opens up a whole new world of rest and peace with Christ in our belovedness. A wonderful, helpful book!

[Allison P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! A lot of "wow" moments for me. Highly recommend!!!!

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exhortation for evangelicals/conservative Christians to discover the ancient spiritual practices of contemplative prayer delivered by means of the author's personal story.

The author explains how he began life as a Catholic, strongly converted to evangelical Christianity, and re-discovered some Catholic meditative and devotional practices during a time of great spiritual distress. Most of the book features discussions of various spiritual practices surrounding contemplative prayer: the divine hours (fixed hour prayer), effective use of the examen, mindfulness centering on God in Christ, daily periods of solitude and the ability to appreciate what silence teaches, and the experience of the dark night of the soul.

Beyond such discussions the book is framed as a critique of evangelicalism as currently practiced, highly anxious, works-based and driven, relentlessly pressing forward, too easily reflecting the capitalistic and consumeristic models of the moment. The author speaks of these things in terms of his own personal experience, and goes to some length to assure the reader that he is not automatically condemning all that is in evangelicalism or its impulses, but seeks to be an encouragement for others who may, like him, have found themselves disenchanted and in great spiritual distress and who would benefit from these prayer traditions.

In general the book is a valuable resource; unlike a lot of other authors who write on the theme, Cyzewski is willing to provide some pointers for practice and to explain not only what he did in generalities but providing actual practices, references, and resources. I have read similar works and have wanted to explore the practices but felt disappointed by a lack of concrete direction. I would not consider myself an Evangelical but my heritage shares many affinities with evangelicalism, and to some degree I can relate to the author's frustrations if not his exact experiences. Throughout my nearly 20 years in Christ I have felt more than catechized in doctrine but have felt at a loss in terms of developing an effectively coherent prayer life...it is good to see someone else's journey that provides some beneficial pointers, and I am already benefited by having been pointed to the Examen along with the divine hours (which I have been doing, although not as consistently as desired, for almost a decade).

I perceived a bit of unease from the author at various points about his practices and conclusions, as if he still did not feel entirely settled and maintained doctrinal combatants in mind, and felt he would have done better at times to have maintained the confidence and boldness in his current stand. It shall be seen as to how well many Evangelicals will take to his criticisms of the movement in general even if they are not wide of the mark.

I would also caution against the seemingly uncritical acceptance of the model of those who came before, especially among the "desert fathers." The "desert fathers" arose from their own context, a reactive movement, which may provide some positive fodder for spirituality but also maintained a legacy that was a bit too extreme for its own good. Yes, indeed, Jesus retreated into the wilderness to pray...but He always returned to minister among the people.

Having said that, the likelihood of many running to such an extreme is far lower than the presently critical need for many in Christendom to flee for a moment, be silent, and pray. A highly recommended work.

2019 addition: the work has gone through an expansion and a more "official" publication. It would be hard to parse out what has been added from what was already there, but the work coheres better, provides greater grounding and resources, and is all the more beneficial and worthwhile for consideration.

**--updated edition galley received as part of early review program

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is saving my life right now. I had read books on how to do contemplative Christian practices before, many in fact, but I’d never read a book about what these practices actually feel like to do, especially if you are an anxious evangelical. That subtitle pretty much sold me on the book right there. Cyzewski has some personal hangups about the Catholic church that I don’t have, but he also normalizes these practices for those in Protestantism who think they are not a spirituality they have access to. He has not only inspired me to do contemplative prayer, but helped me see that I was going about it in the wrong way before. I am a person who desperately wants to DO something, but this kind of prayer is all about just being in the presence of God, not to make you a better person, no goals to reach, just being there for the sake of being there. Yeah, I was totally not doing that before, so it has helped to read another person’s perspective on how to combat the anxiety of doing these types of spiritual practices.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose not to finish this book. I am an evangelical who has always felt free to meditative practices, such as centering prayer, and liturgy into my spiritual disciplines. Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" was a sort of coming of age book for me, and I would prefer to read it again rather than push my way through this book. I felt Mr. Cyzewski was building up a bit of evangelical "straw man," although I well know the "anxious evangelical" of which he speaks. Still, I question whether the practices he recommends to combat this modern pharisaical behavior would be any better --- Spiritual practices of any sort, from any century, are tools, not ends in themselves.

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Stilte is iets beangstigends. Stilte levert je over aan het rumoer binnen in je. Je hoort de angsten die je onder ogen moet zien. Je hoort de boosheid die moet worden bekoeld. Je hoort de leegte die moet worden gevuld. Je hoort de roep om nederigheid en verzoening en concentratie. Je hoort de ambitie, de arrogantie en de onverschilligheid kolken in de ondiepte van de ziel. Stilte vraagt om antwoorden. Stilte nodigt ons uit in de diepte. Stilte heelt wat opkroppen en wegvluchten niet kunnen verhelpen.'

Poeh. Stilte. 't Is me wat.

[Rick Dugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abba Arsenius prayed, “Lord, lead me in the way of salvation.” A Voice responded, “Arsenius, flee, be silent, and pray always, for these are the sources of sinlessness.” This ancient advice to a desert father is in contrast to many values expressed in my evangelical culture. Rather than fleeing, we engage. Rather than silence, we speak up. Rather than pray, we read, write and preach. As a result, “Christianity in America is often an anxiety factory.” In this introductory book to ancient prayer practices, Ed Cyzewski suggests contemplation, retreat and silence as ways to address “evangelical anxiety.”

Contemplative prayer is a discipline that leads us to resting in Christ, discovering that all we need is in Christ, dying to our false selves so that we live in our identity in Christ. Cyzewski is clear that the ancient practices such as the Examen, silent prayer, or dark nights of the soul don’t always lead to good feelings. But these prayers bring an end to our striving so that we rest in the loving hands of God. We leave all outcomes in God’s hands, knowing that he loves us. Evangelicals, with our focus on outcomes, are better at intercession than contemplation. In order to broaden our prayer practices, we need to look at ancient traditions that have been better preserved by Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

After helping us acknowledge the anxiety evangelical spirituality often produces and reminding us of the unconditional love of Christ, each chapter of the book explores a prayer discipline to help us move deeper into our identity in Christ. These include reading Scripture not only to know what it says, but to hear what God is saying. He warns against seeking an epiphany every time we open the Bible, but to simply “immerse [ourselves] in something slow and steady – something in which growth is incremental and perhaps even imperceptible.” (690) This is learning to read the Bible “to be present with God.” (769)

Another chapter addresses broadening the scope of our prayers by learning to pray the prayers of others – ancient prayers, prayers of those from other Christian traditions or cultures. Cyzewski introduces readers to the Examen as a way to take inventory of God’s nearness (or our distance) throughout the day. It helps us find God even in those moments of sin or pain, and bring to consciousness the small gifts of grace.

Other disciplines explored are retreat, silence, centering prayer, dark nights of the soul, and contemplative action or “prophetic silence.”

Contemplative prayer isn’t about retreating into endless introspection. It’s opening our deepest selves to the love of God, crucifying the false self to let the true self rest in Christ, and by learning to love God and ourselves, learning to love others in healthy ways. Contemplative prayer doesn’t earn merit in and of itself. That would just lead to more anxiety! It simply provides space for God to work.

Likewise, “Evangelical anxiety” doesn’t produce the fruit of the Spirit and doesn’t help us love God or others. The prayer practices of ancient Christians can help us know God in such a way that we’re liberated from the need to produce, perform, or hide.

This is an excellent introductory book for evangelical Christians who are new to or suspicious of contemplative prayer. It’s counter-intuitive to American culture in general, and evangelicalism in particular. But that’s what can help us grow. My only wish is that each practice had been more explicitly linked to Christ and not simply “God” in a general sense. It is Christ who makes contemplative prayer different from other religious or secular forms of prayer.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the preface of Flee, Be Silent, Pray, Ed Cyzewski lays out how he found himself returning to aspects of the Catholic faith he'd initially tried to distance himself from after recognizing one notable weakness of evangelicalism was how it can lead one to feel full of guilt and anxiety about not doing or being enough: "Long story short: although I was now a committed Protestant, I had to return to my Catholic roots to learn how to pray."

Although our childhood experiences were different, I found myself resonating with how our journeys overlapped. Authors he quotes have been ones I've been drawn to as of late, such as Phyllis Tickle, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, and Richard Rohr, and the title comes from a Nouwen quotation, which Cyzewski elaborates on:

"Flee, be silent, pray: all work together as one intentional movement toward God. The pursuit of God in silent, contemplative prayer is the exact opposite of anxious striving, studying, and cultural crusading. Contemplative prayer is the only cure I know for our holy anxiety and perceived alienation from God, because it places all our faith in the love and mercy of God."

Flee, Be Silent, Pray addresses various practices, such as lectio divina, the Examen, and centering prayer, and each chapter concludes with "Practicing the Practice" to offer immediate, practical application.

A younger version of myself, who used to find liturgies and written prayers rote and lacking in emotion may have been surprised to see how I am now drawn to following structured prayers. When I use The Divine Hours, I am regularly impacted by the experience of the closing prayer in the Compline, finding new emotions as I reflect on these words, with different sections standing out to me depending on who or what is heavy on my heart, and I was not surprised to read Cyzewski has had similar experiences:

"Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love's sake. Amen."

Perhaps the book could have been more succinct, but that's coming from someone who doesn't need to be convinced of the value and practice of contemplative prayer; others interested in contemplative prayers will find this a useful primer.

(I received a digital ARC from Herald Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: I believe this is my sixth book by Ed Cyzewski. He is one of the many younger authors that is piecing together a living by publishing books independently and working as a freelance author for articles and other pieces.

What I like about the ability for independent authors to publish their own work is that many of the traditional constraints on publishing have been removed. Ed does not need to be famous or put out a book a year or have the traditional 180 or 208 pages. Many of his books are on the short side for traditional books, but they are also not free of fluff to expand them to the necessary length. Free, Be Silent, Pray is only 130 pages. A couple of his books are even shorter (several are longer.)

Ed grew up nominal Catholic, but left the Catholic church when he came to faith via an evangelical ministry. In many ways he and I are fairly similar. We are roughly the same age. We both went to seminary but are not pastors. We are both stay at home Dads while working part time. We both have pursued serious spiritual growth. I identify with his style and method.

I started reading this immediately after Jan Johnson's book on contemplative prayer. And I thought the two of them fit together nicely with almost no overlap. The two books come at contemplative prayer from very different angles.

Ed is very personal in his writing. He is talking about what he does and how he has come to find contemplative prayer helpful. Jan Johnson also talks about herself, but she is a bit more distant. She is older and further along in life, which I think is part of the distance.

Theologically they are not very different, but Cyzewski has appreciation for his previous Catholic faith and Johnson has never been Catholic, so when she approaches the ancient church she does so as an Evangelical, not as an Evangelical that used to be Catholic. And that does matter.

My slightly longer review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/flee-be-silent-pray/

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and inspiring book that I recommend unconditionally.

If you are searching for ways to listen to God more attentively, to experience a deep conversion towards Christ in your life, and encounter the living Word more truthfully, you will be helped by this book.

Ed's writings, and this book in particular, have many qualities. I find his written style simple, honest, elegant, and natural. He speaks openly about his experiences, disappointments, and struggles, always in a way that seeks to reach out to the reader to make contact soul-to-soul. His honesty, integrity and passion to help his readers grow in their relationship with Christ shines through every page.

The book introduces spiritual practices such as reading holy scripture prayerfully (lectio divina), praying at certain hours of the day (holy office), and reviewing your day prayerfully to notice where you have encountered or turned away from God's grace (the Examen). Each chapter explains these practices accessibly, provides stories and reflections about how they have helped Ed in his life, and includes simple and practical suggestions for the reader to explore them.

I read this book a little while ago, but it has remained with me, and I feel it has supported and nourished my spiritual life. Do read it.

[Jessica Kantrowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flee, Be Silent, Pray is an excellent introduction to contemplative prayer for Evangelicals and others. Cyzewski vulnerably shares his own stories and struggles with spiritual anxiety within Evangelicalism, and describes how silence, contemplative prayer, and other practices like the Examen, and canonical prayers helped to calm his anxiety and reconnect him with himself and with God. He draws on the writings of Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Brennan Manning, Richard Rohr, and others to describe the benefits of contemplative practices contrasted with the activity-based and results-based practices of the Evangelical world. As someone already familiar with the subject I wondered if the book would have anything to offer me, but I found Cyzewski's story to be personal and compelling, and I enjoyed rereading some of my favorite quotes and stories from Merton, Nouwen, and Manning. I definitely recommend this book for those interested in learning about contemplative prayer, and I think it will be an enjoyable read even to those already familiar with the practice.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subtitled, ‘An anxious evangelical finds peace with God through contemplative prayer’ – it exactly describes its audience. This is a wonderful book on making contemplative prayer attractive, and I loved it. There are so many books on prayer that talk about prayer, yet don’t result in you actually praying. The best way I can commend this book to you is the fact I kept pausing to pray as I read it, because it made me want to pray right then and there.

There are two things that make this book stand out: the sense of God’s unconditional love that runs throughout the book, and how he distils wisdom from mystics like Richard Rohr and Thomas Merton to make them much more accessible for newcomers to contemplative prayer. There are some who just talk about God’s unconditional love, and then follow up with a load of rules. For me, the sense of God’s love came through in every word, and the experience of reading the book on spiritual disciplines was a restful and nourishing one. I love all of Cyzewski’s work, but this was probably his best so far. Highly recommended.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful, readable guide to contemplative prayer specifically for those in the evangelical church tradition. Cyzewski goes out of his way to assure Bible protestants that he is "one of us" so that we will trust him when he recommends contemplative prayer in the Catholic tradition. I found his personal narrative persuasive and helpful. He integrates it into his explanation of prayer urging us to move from despair or "asking for things" to relationship. Can we sit in God's presence and allow him to be God? Can we be with God just because he loves us and with no other agenda? This book is simple. It is not overly mystical and does not over promise. But it does encourage me to seek God simply for himself and in response to his love.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and helpful book on contemplation and the Christian mystical tradition, as it applies to the contemporary Evangelical movement. The author, a former Catholic, has an academic background with a master of divinity degree from an evangelical seminary, and subsequently has written quite a bit about Christian discipleship, prayer, and contemplation. I have read some of his other books as well. But this one, his most recent, is by far my favorite.

There are multiple interesting chapters, and the author has a humorous, conversational style of writing which is engaging and enjoyable to read. Although he is an expert, he comes across as very humble and relatable. There’s also helpful list of recommended resources and further reading at the end of the book.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Southern Baptist I found his journey from evangelicalism to a contemplative Christ-follower very well articulated. I have not been called to leave my tribe---yet. But in spirit and truth I am a kindred soul to the author. Also, his articulation of the contemplative path was very practical and helpful.

I should think that this might ought to be required reading for many who are leaving the "evangelical" faith in the droves during these days. This book will be a helpful transition and guide to a better way to live the with-God life.

The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I reserve those for C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, and Henri Houwen.

I highly recommend this book.

[Megan Westra · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Flee, Be Silent, Pray, Ed records his own journey away from anxious striving, and toward peace through contemplative practices. At the end of each chapter, he invites readers to play with these ancient forms of prayer on their own. He writes: “I excelled at asking God for things, but for most of my life I knew very little about resting in the loving presence of God...[contemplative prayer] helps us face our thoughts, surrender them to God, and wait on God in silence.” Silence can be a difficult practice for some Christians to embrace--especially those coming out of evangelical contexts--and Ed is a wonderful, compassionate guide.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't give you a how-to on prayer, rather a framework for it and a different way of looking at it. Ed shows you to be content with where you are in your spiritual life and how to allow God to work in the secret places of your soul.

I'd say everyone should read this book but that is probably not true. For me, right now, it was the best book ever to read. It might not have been as meaningful in a different part of my journey.

Still, give it a try and see if you love it as much as I did. It gives you permission to just breathe, to experience unexpected peace that might not feel like you always expected it to feel, and permission to be.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A basic primer on contemplative prayer, this book is easy to read, harder to put into practice. I like how Cyzewski breaks down the different aspects of contemplative style prayer, giving action points at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend actually purchasing this book rather than borrowing it, as contemplative prayer isn't a one and done shot...more of a long, slow addition of layers of practice. This book is going to live on my shelf to be referred to as I incorporate more of the practices into my life, getting acclimated to one before trying to add another.

[Gina Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I think I will come back to again and again. The message of it is deeply freeing and encouraging. I found him naming so many of my struggles as an evangelical trying to connect more deeply with God and to order my life for spiritual formation. Ed is an amazing writer-he's relatable and approachable in how he shares, with an obvious love for God and commitment to walking with Him, as well as deep honesty about the everyday struggles we all face. He's becoming one of my favorite authors!

[Mendy McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks I needed that...

My own journey trying to "find" God is so similar to this author. I grew up in a "non-denominational" church experience with many rules regarding what I was suppose to believe. I was baptized so that I would not go to hell. Thank God, even though it has taken 50 years of seeking the love, mercy and grace of a contemplative walk with Jesus, God was always there... loving me into a new perspective as to how to surrender all.

[Teresa Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I've spent most of my life as an evangelical, and I found this book to be incredibly helpful. I have a handful of books by Richard Rohr and Cynthia Bourgeault, and I love them. But this book met me where I am, and helped me to get an idea of what contemplative practices might feel like and look like, and how I am tempted to judge them (based on my history as an evangelical). Excellent book.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a way forward with God after being disappointed, hurt, or filled with anxiety around so much in the evangelical church. Ed is vulnerable, tells his own story, and also gives ideas about how to practice this mysterious thing called contemplative prayer. As he has said, it is a good introduction before diving into people like Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr, etc.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not the target audience for this book, as I am not an evangelical Christian. Because of this the beginning part of the book which was convincing evangelicals as to the benefits of contemplative prayer was not necessary for me. The rest of the book was both educational and inspirational and I've taken away several new prayers and practices.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. It will be released on February 12, 2019.