Prayer for People Who Think Too Much: A Guide to Everyday, Anywhere Prayer from the World's Faith Traditions

by Mitch Finely

Overview

A guide to everyday, anywhere prayer from the world's faith traditions.

Why do so many Americans claim that they pray every day, but when we actually see someone praying outside of a formal religious service we tend to view it as being eccentric or bizarre? Acclaimed author Mitch Finley takes a thoughtful look at how each major faith tradition incorporates prayer into daily life. Christian sacraments, Jewish holy days, Muslim daily prayer, "mindfulness" in Buddhism, and Hindu rituals are just some of the practices Finley examines. Exploring how people of many faiths pray will help you better understand and enhance your own prayer practices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683362418
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	07/01/1999
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mitch Finley is widely recognized as an expert at bringing difficult spiritual ideas "down-to-earth." The recipient of six Catholic Press Awards and an Excellence in Writing Award from the American Society of HJournalists and Authors, his many award-winning books include The Seeker's Guide to the Christian Story and The Joy of Being Catholic.

Editorial Reviews

This book attempts to convince individuals with some knowledge of prayer to deepen their practice by exposing themselves to other religious traditions. Finley (The Seeker's Guide to the Christian Story, etc.) very briefly sketches Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist approaches to prayer. He contends that, in the end, there is little experiential difference among these five traditions and that God (or "the divine mystery") is benevolent to all. As one section declares, Finley believes that "true prayerfulness transcends religious institutions." Finley succeeds in maintaining the universally affirming approach that all paths lead to the truth, but this is possible only as a result of a particularly shallow explanation of Buddhism; he essentially does a cut-and-paste job with his (mostly Western) sources. (The book also contains some careless factual errors; for example: Finley has the Romans destroying the Jerusalem Temple in 586 BC and the Babylonians destroying it in AD 70, reversing his dates.) While the book's praxis-oriented approach will be useful for beginners, others grounded in a particular faith may find that religion's treatment too shallow. That said, Finley's tone is respectful of all five traditions, providing an everyday guide to the "action" of prayer. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly