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In All Seasons, For All Reasons: Praying Throughout the Year
The Christian longing to share anguish, fear, gratitude, and awe has found expression in many forms of prayer, beginning in Scripture and the practices and words of Jesus. Over the centuries many fruitful approaches to prayer have taken hold, but often there is a certain unease about what is right or what is best. In this welcome and welcoming book, Fr. James Martin eases these concerns with thoughtful, practical encouragement about prayer in all of its forms. In All Seasons, For All Reasons is drawn from “ Teach Us to Pray ,” Fr. Martin’s very popular monthly column in Give Us This Day .
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2017
About the author
James Martin
53 books1,096 followersJames Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 26, 2018
Mostly 3.5, sometimes swinging towards 4. :)
This book's writings are from a monthly column in Give Us This Day, and is all about prayer, in all its forms and circumstances and who these prayers are aimed at (mostly the Trinity, but also Mary and the saints, and the Guardian angel). Because the texts are from columns, some repetition may be found, but overall it's all good information, and I gained some ideas from it, which is a good sign.
The texts are divided: reasons + seasons (Christmas, Lent, All Souls' Day etc.). I think they could be used for daily reading, though this book is slim; maybe it could be used to pepper some thicker daily-reading book. The author uses examples from his own life, which is nice. I did think his piece on Christmas laid its message across a little clumsily, but I know what he must've meant, so not really a big deal. :)
Martin's opinion is that whatever works best is the best way of prayer for each person, and I agree. Some already-written prayers, plus personally chosen ones, and/or words that come at the moment of prayer is a pretty good way/combination. A somewhat plain, slim book, but still bringing something into thoughts on prayer even for those who have read on it a bit.
This book's writings are from a monthly column in Give Us This Day, and is all about prayer, in all its forms and circumstances and who these prayers are aimed at (mostly the Trinity, but also Mary and the saints, and the Guardian angel). Because the texts are from columns, some repetition may be found, but overall it's all good information, and I gained some ideas from it, which is a good sign.
The texts are divided: reasons + seasons (Christmas, Lent, All Souls' Day etc.). I think they could be used for daily reading, though this book is slim; maybe it could be used to pepper some thicker daily-reading book. The author uses examples from his own life, which is nice. I did think his piece on Christmas laid its message across a little clumsily, but I know what he must've meant, so not really a big deal. :)
Martin's opinion is that whatever works best is the best way of prayer for each person, and I agree. Some already-written prayers, plus personally chosen ones, and/or words that come at the moment of prayer is a pretty good way/combination. A somewhat plain, slim book, but still bringing something into thoughts on prayer even for those who have read on it a bit.
August 26, 2021
Great resource on prayer; a plethora of ideas of how to pray in different liturgical and personal circumstances.
May 24, 2021
This book is written by James Martin who is a Jesuit Priest. Although he is a priest, his writing is not at all hard to understand and is written in lay-persons language.
The book is broken down into seasons of the year including subjects like family prayer and meditation and is a reflection about how we could connect our prayer life to each season. Each short, one-page reflection give examples of how the process of prayer works through real-life scenarios or the Gospel. The few difficult words that are used are fully defined for the average reader.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs direction on how to pray, motivation to pray and to help clarify if we are heading in the right direction.
This is a great first step for those beginning a prayerful life and a great gift book for those new to the subject. I loved this book and will refer back to it often. I hope you do as well.
Enjoy and be Blessed!
The book is broken down into seasons of the year including subjects like family prayer and meditation and is a reflection about how we could connect our prayer life to each season. Each short, one-page reflection give examples of how the process of prayer works through real-life scenarios or the Gospel. The few difficult words that are used are fully defined for the average reader.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs direction on how to pray, motivation to pray and to help clarify if we are heading in the right direction.
This is a great first step for those beginning a prayerful life and a great gift book for those new to the subject. I loved this book and will refer back to it often. I hope you do as well.
Enjoy and be Blessed!
December 21, 2017
A great short introduction to various modes of prayer. I enjoyed that every essay is short enough to digest and put into practice. I also enjoyed Martin's constant reminder that God values the authentic human heart in prayer--sometimes that means we aren't at our best, but that we're human.
February 27, 2018
I learned a good bit about Catholicism; all positive. These are wonderful prayers. One in particular spoke directly to a situation in my life. These prayers are really for many seasons and reasons. This is a book I will read again and again.
December 18, 2019
Prayer unfinished business
Thank you Father Jim!!! Great book, easy read. Your book is a jewel...I'm always asking the Lord to teach me to pray...since we dwell in the "Mystery" it is on going process...
Thank you Father Jim!!! Great book, easy read. Your book is a jewel...I'm always asking the Lord to teach me to pray...since we dwell in the "Mystery" it is on going process...
February 20, 2021
Excellent look at praying
Fr. Martin captured the meaning of connecting to God through prayers of conversations. I was drawn each day into a different look and a different purpose to my day. Great way to start each and every day with a good friend.
Fr. Martin captured the meaning of connecting to God through prayers of conversations. I was drawn each day into a different look and a different purpose to my day. Great way to start each and every day with a good friend.
September 23, 2017
Great little volume filled with solid ideas aimed at broadening prayer life. Father Martin offers brief, but concise examples. Worth reading over and over.
August 1, 2019
Loved it. Many inspiring quotes and information.
November 25, 2025
An uplifting book with advice on how to pray, when to pray, ways to pray. Practical, open-minded, this book is inspired by Jesuit wisdom and spirituality.
July 31, 2018
If you know Father James Martin, then you will read this in his voice.
If you don't know him, well, this is written in his voice.
The book is a compilation of one-page essays on different prayers and aspects of prayer. Father Martin offers different ways to enter the mindset of prayer in order for any person to truly contemplate their prayer life.
The "Seasons" refer to the physical seasons of the world, those of the church, and those within our own personal lives.
Ways to find God in each day.
~ Some aspects, like the Examen, relate to Jesuit practices.
~ Some of the ways to pray are...not really 'unique' per se, but may be different to some people. There are so many ways to pray and we don't always think of some of the 'less popular' methods. So those were great to read of.
~ I like that Father Martin includes spiritual direction and retreats as methods of prayer.
~ The entire Lent subsection is very powerful.
It's a "quick" read in that it's easy, but it forces the reader to reflect on their prayer life and think of what was said on each page.
If you don't know him, well, this is written in his voice.
The book is a compilation of one-page essays on different prayers and aspects of prayer. Father Martin offers different ways to enter the mindset of prayer in order for any person to truly contemplate their prayer life.
The "Seasons" refer to the physical seasons of the world, those of the church, and those within our own personal lives.
Ways to find God in each day.
~ Some aspects, like the Examen, relate to Jesuit practices.
~ Some of the ways to pray are...not really 'unique' per se, but may be different to some people. There are so many ways to pray and we don't always think of some of the 'less popular' methods. So those were great to read of.
~ I like that Father Martin includes spiritual direction and retreats as methods of prayer.
~ The entire Lent subsection is very powerful.
It's a "quick" read in that it's easy, but it forces the reader to reflect on their prayer life and think of what was said on each page.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews