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Speaking with Spirit: 52 Prayers to Guide, Inspire, and Uplift You
A collection of 52 prayers and stories to inspire, unlock inner strength, and navigate daily life with spirit, from the author of Wake Up to the Joy of You .
“Prayer is a bridge to your truest self that you can access at any time.”—ARIANNA HUFFINGTON
“This lovely book vibrates with wisdom.”—JESSICA ALBA
“Read this book to discover the power of prayer.”—GABRIELLE BERNSTEIN
Prayer is your ongoing conversation with something larger than yourself. And similar to a mindfulness practice, a daily prayer practice has the power to change your life. Regardless of whether or not you practice organized religion, this gift is available to you as a way to unlock greater awareness and inner strength. With her signature joy and heartfelt wisdom, Agapi Stassinopoulos presents a non-denominational guide to harnessing this power of prayer in your life and using it to find connection, peace, and gratitude.
With a structure and style similar to her bestselling meditation book Wake Up to the Joy of You , Agapi encourages us to pray for everything, not just for special occasions. You can get your God fix anytime and at the gym or on the train, when you're on a deadline or when you're enjoying your first cup of coffee. Accompanied by her personal stories, she shares fifty-two prayers for a year of personal transformation, from navigating relationships with family and friends and expanding past your fears to uncovering your true self and releasing your inner creativity. With prayers written with her unique poetry, verve, and spiritual insight, Agapi guides us in transforming the fear, worry, and anxiety of everyday life into conscious moments of peace and calm.
Ultimately, she is teaching us the language of our own soul and the larger energy out there, whatever you want to call it, which is always available to us if we know how to listen and to speak with spirit.
“Prayer is a bridge to your truest self that you can access at any time.”—ARIANNA HUFFINGTON
“This lovely book vibrates with wisdom.”—JESSICA ALBA
“Read this book to discover the power of prayer.”—GABRIELLE BERNSTEIN
Prayer is your ongoing conversation with something larger than yourself. And similar to a mindfulness practice, a daily prayer practice has the power to change your life. Regardless of whether or not you practice organized religion, this gift is available to you as a way to unlock greater awareness and inner strength. With her signature joy and heartfelt wisdom, Agapi Stassinopoulos presents a non-denominational guide to harnessing this power of prayer in your life and using it to find connection, peace, and gratitude.
With a structure and style similar to her bestselling meditation book Wake Up to the Joy of You , Agapi encourages us to pray for everything, not just for special occasions. You can get your God fix anytime and at the gym or on the train, when you're on a deadline or when you're enjoying your first cup of coffee. Accompanied by her personal stories, she shares fifty-two prayers for a year of personal transformation, from navigating relationships with family and friends and expanding past your fears to uncovering your true self and releasing your inner creativity. With prayers written with her unique poetry, verve, and spiritual insight, Agapi guides us in transforming the fear, worry, and anxiety of everyday life into conscious moments of peace and calm.
Ultimately, she is teaching us the language of our own soul and the larger energy out there, whatever you want to call it, which is always available to us if we know how to listen and to speak with spirit.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published January 18, 2022
56 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Agapi Stassinopoulos
19 books72 followersAGAPI STASSINOPOULOS is a best-selling author and speaker who inspires audiences around the world. In her previous book, Unbinding the Heart: A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity, and Unconditional Love, she shares the wisdom from her life’s adventures and experiences. In her new book, Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life, she takes readers on a journey and inspires them to let go of what doesn’t work and instead create the lives they really want. Agapi was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and then moved on to receive her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Her previous books on the Greek archetypes, Gods and Goddesses in Love and Conversations with the Goddesses, were turned into PBS specials. She is currently conducting workshops for Thrive Global, a company founded by her sister, Arianna Huffington, to help change the way we work and live. She divides her time between New York and Los Angeles and was born and raised in Athens, Greece.
FIND HER online at www.WakeUptotheJoyofYou.com
FIND HER online at www.WakeUptotheJoyofYou.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 26, 2022
Speaking with Spirit is a guide of fifty-two prayers that aim to uplift anyone. While the author speaks in terms of prayer, she does not strictly mean this in a religious sense. Instead, she invites readers to call on the "deeper, wiser, higher, and more intelligent part of ourselves that is connected to the whole". Prayers are divided into the following categories: Living, Creating, Becoming, Overcoming, Loving, and Transforming. Each prayer is found at the end of a brief overview or explanation of an idea such as "hearing the whisper of your creativity" or "becoming you". To me, I found these overviews to be of more use than the actual prayers. They provide plenty to think about and reflect upon; however, at times I felt as if the author gave too many long-winded details of her own life and I sometimes felt like I was reading her autobiography instead of a self-help book. If you can get past that, then I think this book can provide the inspiration and comfort that is intended.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Harmony Books in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Harmony Books in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
January 16, 2022
In this book, the author shares 52 prayers resulting from her time during the pandemic. In every chapter, the author shares a challenge in life and then offers a prayer that can get us through that challenge. She also talks about how prayers can be helpful at any time in our life. They do not have to be reserved just for special occasions or church time on Sundays. Prayers can help us return to our breath in the moment whenever we face challenges and need to tap into our higher power.
But prayers are just one aspect of this book. The other part is about the author's life story, her philosophy, and her experience with finding her own spirituality and her family, her body, and her career. It's like a memoir in prayer, which is what I loved most about the book. I encourage you to get this book and read the prayers aloud because prayers can awaken us and make us more present. My favorites are the prayer on page 122, "Dear Beloved," about perfectionism. I also dogeared "Prayer for time running out" on page thirty.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/aga...
But prayers are just one aspect of this book. The other part is about the author's life story, her philosophy, and her experience with finding her own spirituality and her family, her body, and her career. It's like a memoir in prayer, which is what I loved most about the book. I encourage you to get this book and read the prayers aloud because prayers can awaken us and make us more present. My favorites are the prayer on page 122, "Dear Beloved," about perfectionism. I also dogeared "Prayer for time running out" on page thirty.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/aga...
February 1, 2022
I won't resummarize the book as the publisher's book description does a fine job of giving potential readers the information they need to decide whether or not to read the book. My review contains only my reactions to and opinions of the book.
This book of prayers is very different from any I have read before. Non-denominational throughout, it is based on the tenets of Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA) which is dedicated to a path of soul transcendence. The author seeks to help readers honor and deepen the connection to the inner light present in everyone through prayer as she believes prayer connects us to the spirit within, the God in everyone. "I never think of God as a being; I think of God as a state of being."
There are prayers for a wide variety of situations. Each entry has a personal anecdote from the author's life and ends with a prayer that starts with "Dear Beloved," and ends with "So be it".
While I enjoyed the exposure to a different philosophy, I was put off by a couple of things. Although I realize the author used her personal life experiences to tie into the prayer and make it more relatable to the reader, this sometimes had the opposite effect on me. At times it seems as if the book is about the author, which in my humble opinion, takes away from her intent.
Another thing that I disliked is that according to the tenets the author follows, basically, you are praying to yourself. While I do believe that God, our creator, is in each of us, I had a hard time with the lack of recognition of a higher power external to the individual.
Despite these two points, I did find things within some of the prayers that resonated with me.
My thanks to Harmony who granted me access to an ARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
This book of prayers is very different from any I have read before. Non-denominational throughout, it is based on the tenets of Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA) which is dedicated to a path of soul transcendence. The author seeks to help readers honor and deepen the connection to the inner light present in everyone through prayer as she believes prayer connects us to the spirit within, the God in everyone. "I never think of God as a being; I think of God as a state of being."
There are prayers for a wide variety of situations. Each entry has a personal anecdote from the author's life and ends with a prayer that starts with "Dear Beloved," and ends with "So be it".
While I enjoyed the exposure to a different philosophy, I was put off by a couple of things. Although I realize the author used her personal life experiences to tie into the prayer and make it more relatable to the reader, this sometimes had the opposite effect on me. At times it seems as if the book is about the author, which in my humble opinion, takes away from her intent.
Another thing that I disliked is that according to the tenets the author follows, basically, you are praying to yourself. While I do believe that God, our creator, is in each of us, I had a hard time with the lack of recognition of a higher power external to the individual.
Despite these two points, I did find things within some of the prayers that resonated with me.
My thanks to Harmony who granted me access to an ARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
February 14, 2023
I am so very much not the target audience for this book, but whilst perusing the new books section at my library, I couldn't resist it.
It's a well meaning enough book, one filled with chirrupy positivity and a year-of-weeks-worth of generic nonsectarian "prayers." Ms. Stassinopoulos writes in a straightforward, accessible way, and the book is filled with genial advice about living a "best self" sort of life. It's from no particular religious tradition or perspective, with a very Left-Coasty LA vibe. This is particularly true when it quotes from Ms. Stassinopoulos's guru, John-Roger, who I had to look up. He was an interesting character from the height of the New Age Movement, and is worth a Google. Seriously. Look him up.
Most of the rest of the spirituality is drawn from nothing but the author's own life, which is...well...she's not had a hard life. She's Arianna Huffington's sister, and her existence can sometimes feel a little difficult to connect with. If your prayer for calm after a "most stressful day" involves being upset that the catered food you've ordered for a party comes in aluminum trays and not serving platters? I mean, we all feel what we feel, and being personally present in a book is important, and we're all on our own journey. But, well, yeah.
Her anecdotes repeat, and then repeat again, which a good solid editing would have helped. The whole thing feels a little gauzy and intangible.
Not really my cup of tea. But I knew that going in.
It's a well meaning enough book, one filled with chirrupy positivity and a year-of-weeks-worth of generic nonsectarian "prayers." Ms. Stassinopoulos writes in a straightforward, accessible way, and the book is filled with genial advice about living a "best self" sort of life. It's from no particular religious tradition or perspective, with a very Left-Coasty LA vibe. This is particularly true when it quotes from Ms. Stassinopoulos's guru, John-Roger, who I had to look up. He was an interesting character from the height of the New Age Movement, and is worth a Google. Seriously. Look him up.
Most of the rest of the spirituality is drawn from nothing but the author's own life, which is...well...she's not had a hard life. She's Arianna Huffington's sister, and her existence can sometimes feel a little difficult to connect with. If your prayer for calm after a "most stressful day" involves being upset that the catered food you've ordered for a party comes in aluminum trays and not serving platters? I mean, we all feel what we feel, and being personally present in a book is important, and we're all on our own journey. But, well, yeah.
Her anecdotes repeat, and then repeat again, which a good solid editing would have helped. The whole thing feels a little gauzy and intangible.
Not really my cup of tea. But I knew that going in.
February 20, 2022
Speaking with Spirit tapped into a meditative storytelling that opened myself up to a higher awareness of the power within me. I appreciate the author providing a glimpse into herself, her vulnerabilities, that allowed me to feel a connection with her. The book’s prayers helped to anchor a specific purpose with Spirit to manifest in my own life. I found it a very lovely and poetic read while drinking tea, reflecting on the day, or just to find more peace within. And the first prayer, which focuses on birthdays and celebrating yourself with a gift of freedom, would make a beautiful gift for anyone too.
March 22, 2022
I am familiar with the author’s previous works but was particularly moved by this book that serves as treasure chest for the heart in its reacquaint with our soul. For what better gift could one bestow than to provide a passageway to the awakening spirit within us all? And with fitting reminder that we must call it and often to receive the gifts that await each. The author provides us with a practical exercise of this spirit through a set of prayers that serve in answering perhaps our own. As such, I find this work remains as with her others -- an inspiration to and for us all!
January 31, 2022
In her new book, Agapi exquisitely takes you to a space beyond the tangible. She interweaves the pragmatic and the spiritual to help you arrive at a deeper connection in yourself, "In prayer, we can go beyond our limited perspective and connect to our inner knowing." It is beautifully written as Agapi takes your hand and leads you on this journey.
January 23, 2023
These inspirational messages and prayers are uplifting, written with empathy and heart. Agapi shares events from her own life that helped her discover the coping skills and positive light needed to embrace her true self. I have marked passages that spoke most to me to reread when I need encouragement. This would be a great gift for someone who needs a spiritual lift.
Want to read
December 30, 2023This small book gathers 52 of the authors reflections. Within each reflection is the sharing of life stories by the author and a prayer to contemplate individually.
A lovely little book that can be worked through, explored and come back to time and again.
Thank you Rodale and NetGalley for this ARC.
A lovely little book that can be worked through, explored and come back to time and again.
Thank you Rodale and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 12, 2022
Book was good until half way through I wanted to finish and I felt like she was repeating things and I lost interest. However, I’ve finished and I will pray more. So be it!!
January 8, 2025
I thought it was uplifting. I saw her interview with a journalist I am fond of and that’s what got me to read this book. I am so glad I did.
April 25, 2022
You get 52 reflections (2-3 pages each) on various aspects of Life, that if you actually have any experience with might help; however, I founding it difficult to relate to most of them. Each reflection opens with a personal anecdote and a little self analysis that I felt would apply more specifically to the author than to me. Increasing the disconnect is the actual form of the Prayer. If your spirituality is more independent of the established religions and you are comfortable with more generic language, the Prayers probably are not that bad … but I just could not get past the opening of Dear Beloved and ending with So Be It for all of them. The language is generic enough to potentially fit within any tradition … or no tradition; but that actually makes it difficult to connect to somebody with a solid connection to a particular tradition … which is the primary issue that I had with this (for me, there just was no spark and spirituality is all about the spark). While I [think] I understand what the author was going for, it was enough beyond my comfort zone to impede any spiritual benefit I might have found if the topic were more relevant to me.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SpeakingwithSpirit #NetGalley.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SpeakingwithSpirit #NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews