For God Alone: A Primer on Prayer

by Bonnie Thurston

Overview

Bonnie Thurston is the author of many books and articles about spirituality and prayer. In For God Alone she shows us, clearly and practically, how to pray. The result is a unique introduction to prayer that will encourage all Christian readers seeking to deepen the life of prayer.

For God Alone introduces three traditional trajectories of Christian prayer: oratio, meditatio, and contemplatio. Thurston guides the reader from familiar "voiced prayers" through the prayer of thought and intellect to the less familiar prayer of quiet or listening. Thurston concludes each chapter with practical exercises for the practice of prayer, suggestions for further reading, and space for reader's notes. Drawing material from both Eastern and Western traditions, For God Alone is learned but conversational in tone and thoroughly accessible to the general reader. Adult education classes in various denominations will profit from reading this book. It will also be used in practical ministries courses, spirituality courses, and courses in the theology and practice of prayer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780268201036
Publisher:	University of Notre Dame Press
Publication date:	09/15/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Bonnie Thurston’s numerous books include The Spiritual Landscape of Mark, and Religious Vows, the Sermon on the Mount, and Christian Living. She lives near Wheeling, West Virginia.

Table of Contents

Dedication and Thanksgivings vii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Prayer: Toward a Definition 9

Chapter 2 Oratio: Praying with Words 24

Chapter 3 Praying the Word: Lectio Divina 54

Chapter 4 Prayer: Toward an Anthropology 69

Chapter 5 Praying the Name: The Jesus Prayer 86

Chapter 6 Praying with the Body: Some Exercises 105

Chapter 7 Prayer: Toward a Cosmology 128

Chapter 8 Prayer: Toward Contemplatio 143

Chapter 9 Praying Contemplatively: The Prayer of Waiting 160

Summary Notes 182

Poem: "Prayer" 200

Notes 201

Select Bibliography 220

Editorial Reviews

"This book is a general introduction to the theology and practice of prayer, essentially from a Christian perspective but not limited to it . . . very helpful for those who wish to understand, from someone on the inside, these practices of Christian spirituality [and] more helpful to those who wish to take up some of these prayer traditions themselves." —Choice

“For God Alone: A Primer on Prayer is a guide to prayer and its impact on Christians. Covering many methods and practices of prayer throughout Christianity, author Bonnie Thurston presents an intriguing and educational manual that is an excellent pick even for non-Christians trying to better understand prayer’s significance.” —Midwest Book Review

“We need to be faith-filled, but also full of hope and overflowing with love. Bonnie Thurston, poet and scholar, addresses this in her ‘primer on prayer’ called For God Alone.” —Review for Religious

“Using the traditional categories of oratio, meditatio, and contemplatio, Thurston offers definitions and explanations, examples and exercises, historical context and suggestions for further reading and study. Many benefits are here for those seeking refreshment, encouragement, or a new spark.” —The Living Church

“Thurston, author of The Spiritual Landscape of Mark (2008), describes prayer as a mode of being, and defines it as the attentiveness to God’s presence that restores God’s original image in and intention for us as human beings.” —New Testament Abstracts

“In her introduction, Bonnie Thurston states that she wanted to write a how-to book on prayer that would be ‘homey and comfortable in tone.’ She has succeeded in doing just that. Her book is a helpful and welcome blend of the theology and the practice of prayer. This book is very user friendly. There is much grace in this book. With insight and winsomeness, Thurston invites everyone to a deeper prayer in life.” —Interpretation

“Bonnie Thurston sets out in this book to teach people how to pray, writing directly and refreshingly from her own experience. There is much in this book to recommend it. Thurston has given us a book that uniquely communicates her own self and experience, and there is much to be gained in listening to the wisdom she offers.” —Anglican Theological Review

“For God Alone is a keeper, portable and practical, ‘a primer for those whose prayer pump needs a little priming.’ A seasoned teacher, Thurston, unpacks complex topics in clear ways and restates her points. Thurston leads us beyond praying-as-action and toward prayerfulness.” —Friends Journal

“As the title reveals, this is a primer for beginners in prayer, but Thurston’s book addresses a wider audience, as well, people wanting inspiration and deeper instruction. In the Summary Notes at the end she affirms that ‘one is always a beginner.’ . . . This is a very rich book, fed by the whole Christian tradition.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly

“Thurston is an accomplished theologian, biblical scholar, lecturer and author of many books, although this is her first on prayer. She deftly combines traditional prayer practices from different religious traditions, pointing out commonalities and differences, with personal exercises to encourage an individual discipline of daily prayer. . . . This would be a wonderful volume for a study or prayer group, as well as for college and seminary classes.” —Catholic Library World

“Drawing on the best of Western and Eastern traditions, Thurston invites us into three traditional trajectories for prayer—oration, meditation, and contemplation—illuminating “voiced prayers,” prayers of thought and intellect, prayers of quiet or listening. Her work is at once theoretical and practical with suggestions for further reading.” —The Religious Book Club

From the Publisher