Prayer Vol. 01

by Strahan Coleman

Genres: Christian, Poetry, Faith, Spirituality, Theology

72 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Trey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Father, help me to live right, and not just not-wrong.”

[Scott Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strahan Coleman’s ministry has deeply impacted me through his work as a musician and then Commoner’s Communion through developments of sickness. This little book of prayers contain several of his best early episodes that helped me through the deconstruction, reconstruction, and following pandemic of life in 2019/2020. Coleman’s perspective on prayer, stillness, and beauty are excellent as they remind me of a modern monastic with a tinge of classical Christian theism. My only potential critique is how most of the prayers neglect calling out sin or evil for what it is in our lives, though he does describe the deep distaste for looking away from the transcendent Christ.

[Benjamin Razey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coleman’s book is a nice little book on prayer. I found that the prayers contained within felt like they were Coleman’s personal prayers, which I’m sure would have great depth and meaning to him, but I unfortunately found them hard to pray myself. In that sense this book seemed like every prayer needed a far longer commentary explaining the prayer rather than the prayer speaking for itself and truly allowing “communion with God” as such. Accordingly, I found it a little disheartening to know each day that I wouldn’t simply be able to read the prayer and pray along with immediacy, but would have to read the author’s commentary to truly understand what he was trying to pray before actually engaging with the prayer.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for reading slowly and pondering - maybe a page a day (which is what I hope to do after reading through it quickly).

Quotes that stood out to me the first time through:

I used to imagine that there is some kind of higher spiritual plane we’re all trying to reach. And un-earthiness ___ But the more I look at God, the more I wake up to the fact that if He is so ordinary that He can be mistaken for a man, then maybe His work in my life can he so ordinary that it looks like nothing in particular to anyone else ___ My prayer today is to learn to embrace the earthiness in the way the Spirit chooses to move through me, and to see the menial, mundane and unseen parts of my life as the wonder of God to redeem every human thing. (P. 15)

The priority of God on the cross was not behavior management — it was reconciliation.[…] Without honesty, there is no intimacy. So speak freely and let God be kind to you today. (P. 44)

[Christina Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am entirely convinced that Strahan Coleman is one of the most gifted spiritual poets of our time.

I am incredibly thankful for the hard journey that led him into this deeper reflection of God and so changed by the work he has produced from it. It has just left me praising God for all that He is and all that He has meant for me.

Thank you Strahan, for being such a transparent gateway into the heart and character of God.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only prayers but poetry that so beautifully capture relationship with God.

[Grant Chlystun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of beautiful and intimate prayers. Incredible book!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such real and honest communion with God, a creative way to pray and reflect

[Saes Winchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound. Tender. Genuine. Restful read.