Practice of Prayer

In this down-to-earth book on the essentials of prayer, Margaret Guenther answers many of the common questions of the spiritual life, such as How do we learn to listen to God in our prayer? and, How do we develop a life of prayer in the midst of busy, active lives? She includes practical descriptions of a number of ways Christians have prayed through the centuries, from using the Jesus Prayer or rosary to praying with the stories of scripture and prayer book liturgies. Guenther also discusses basic matters of Christian practice, such as making a confession, intercession, going on retreat, simplifying our lives, using a journal to pray, finding a spiritual director, and praying through times of desolation when God does not seem to be listening.

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Spirituality: What's in a Name? Chapter 2 Prayer as Conversation: Is Anyone Listening? Chapter 3 Varieties of Prayer: Does What I Learned in Sunday School Still Count? Chapter 4 Prayer Through the Centuries: From the Jesus Prayer to Lectio Divina Chapter 5 Practices of Prayer: Retreats, Journaling, Sacramental Confession, and Spiritual Direction Chapter 6 Finding God in the Ordinary: Your Kitchen Will Teach You Everything Chapter 7 Prayer and Parenting: How Do I Pray When the Baby is Keeping Me Up? Chapter 8 Learning Simplicity: 'Tis the Gift to Be Simple, 'Tis the Gift to Be Free Chapter 9 Praying Through Desolation: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Chapter 10 Praying in Community: Who are My Mother and My Brothers?