Ten Prayers That Changed the World: Extraordinary Stories of Faith That Shaped the Course of History

by Jean-Pierre Isbouts Narrated by Adam Verner

Overview

From time immemorial, prayer has provided comfort in our darkest hours, stirred us to action beyond what we thought possible, and shown us the way through seemingly insurmountable challenges. In this engaging tour of world history, author and historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts takes us on an inspiring tour of ten prayers that played a pivotal role in world events.

The prayers range from the divine inspiration of Joan of Arc to Martin Luther's hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” from George Washington's prayerful words to the newly formed American states to the horrors of Auschwitz, and from Constantine the Great's prayer before battle to Gandhi's deeply moving prayer of peace.

Ten Prayers That Changed the World delves into the moments in history when faith and prayer intersected with the course of mankind.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

12/14/2015
Isbouts (Jesus: An Illustrated Life) studies the effect that 10 specific prayers have had on world history. Did they really work? If so, why? He probes history, the Bible, and eyewitness accounts for corroboration, and then fills in the blanks with his own imaginative recreations of the settings where the prayer was delivered. What was young Joan of Arc like? What were Martin Luther’s thoughts when he was prohibited from publishing books or giving sermons? Was Mother Theresa always certain of her calling? Some of the prayers are well known, such as George Washington’s prayer at Valley Forge (made famous in a painting of the general kneeling), the “Our Father” prayer of Jesus, and St. Francis’s sermon on becoming an “instrument of peace” (with a fascinating study of how this phrase made its journey into mainstream American life). Some are less familiar, but have had far-reaching impact. As a historian, Isbouts weighs the culture of ancient times against more modern thinking, suggesting new interpretations for legends and exploring alternative versions of stories. Taking a secular tack, he leaves open-ended questions about whether these prayers were heard by a higher power—and what form that entity’s response might take—while concluding that faith of all kinds makes the world a better place. Agent: Peter Miller, Global Lion Intellectual Property Management. (Mar.)

From the Publisher

2016 Best Book Award in Spirituality

“A thoughtful examination of faiths and faith stories throughout the ages.”—Booklist

“Isbouts weighs the culture of ancient times against more modern thinking, suggesting new interpretations for legends and exploring alternative versions of stories. Taking a secular tack, he leaves open-ended questions about whether these prayers were heard by a higher power—and what form that entity’s response might take—while concluding that faith of all kinds makes the world a better place.”—Publishers Weekly

"Isbouts places the reader right in the thick of the action." -Rebecca Hitt 'Stories in My Pocket' blog

"As a history teacher myself, I was immediately drawn in by Isbouts' storytelling.  Vivid descriptions coupled with historical context provided a greater depth and understanding of these accounts."-AnAnchoredFaith.com 

"Isbouts has a storyteller's gift..." -Tonya Parham 'Books Make Everything Better' blog

“A powerful survey that’s highly recommended for any who like historical inspection and a general survey of how faith and its messages are transmitted.”-California Book Watch

“Exceptionally well organized and presented.”-Midwest Book Review

“Never a history buff at school, which I have come to regret, I lapped up Isbouts’s fascinating accounts.” –Rachel Britton ‘Rachel Britton’ blog

“[This] narrative account will help you grasp both the power of stories, and the challenges involved in and rewards of historical reconstruction.”-Patheos.com

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169722390
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,093,914

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