'A brilliant introduction to prayer' Richard Rohr, Author of Everything Belongs

One of America's most beloved spiritual leaders and the New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Jesus: A Pilgrimage teaches anyone to converse with God in this comprehensive guide to prayer.

'What do we need to learn? That prayer changes us-and so changes the world we live in; that God is always there before us; that it's God's action that makes the difference. Practical, comprehensive, and above all God-centered, this book is a deeply valuable companion for growing in faith.' Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

In The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, Father James Martin included a chapter on communicating with God. Now, he expands those thoughts in this profound and practical handbook. Learning to Pray explains what prayer is, what to expect from praying, how to do it, and how it can transform us when we make it a regular practice in our lives.

A trusted guide walking beside us as we navigate our unique spiritual paths, Martin lays out the different styles and traditions of prayer throughout Christian history and invites us to experiment and discover which works best to feed our soul and build intimacy with our Creator. Father Martin makes clear there is not one secret formula for praying. But like any relationship, each person can discover the best style for building an intimate relationship with God, regardless of religion or denomination. Prayer, he teaches us, is open and accessible to anyone willing to open their heart.

About the Author

REV. JAMES MARTIN, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestsellers Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and My Life with the Saints, which Publishers Weekly named one of the best books of 2006. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, having appeared on all the major networks, and in such diverse outlets as The Colbert Report, NPR's Fresh Air, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Before entering the Jesuits in 1988 he graduated from the Wharton School of Business.

Reviews

'Prayer, Martin says, is building a relationship with God in the way other relationships are built: through conversing, listening, and spending time with one another. . . . With Martin's guidance, interested readers may see prayer as both the most natural yet transcendent thing in the world.' Booklist

'Personal, insightful, honest, practical, expansive, enriching, freeing, hopeful-these words only begin to describe this excellent book about prayer. Learning to Pray deserves to be in the hands and heart of anyone intent on engaging with the unfolding path of prayer.'Joyce Rupp, author of Anchors for the Soul

'The life of prayer is essential for the believer. And yet so many people feel frightened by prayer. Fear not! James Martin has written a brilliant introduction to prayer, which will help you encounter the Living God, who wants to encounter you! Richard Rohr, author of Everything Belongs

Book Information
ISBN 9780008447083
Author James Martin
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint William Collins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 290g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm