Daniel Wolpert. Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices Upper Room Books. 2003.

The title of this book completely intrigued me. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started reading it. The author walks the reader through many styles of praying that were used long before this 21st century. Wolpert's intention is to introduce us to praying at all times instead of just specified periods. He says:

A prayer practice is just that: practice. It is taking time to learn how to listen for God. It is taking time to see the hand of God at work in our lives. We need to take this time because this listening, this seeing are difficult tasks. … [Page 18.]

Prayer Techniques Discussed

Solitude and silent prayer is the subject of Chapter 1. He discusses how difficult it is to let go of our own thoughts and begin listening to God. Learning to discern the correct source of your "Godly thoughts" would be important with this type of prayer. Chapter 2 discusses "Lectio Divina", the practice of sacred reading-encountering God through the scriptures. This involves reading the scripture, letting its meaning speak to you about something that may or may not be closely related to what you read, meditating on the words, talking to God about the scriptures read, and contemplation.

The next Chapter introduces the "Jesus Prayer". This prayer consists of simply repeating "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me". We are to cry out to God about everything repeatedly throughout our day. Being Still and Knowing God, Apophatic Prayer, is still another technique. It is even suggested that you sit on a pillow on the floor and practice "good posture" while waiting for God to fill you with his grade.

The Examen is the subject of Chapter 5. This is a prayer style where we remember the purpose for our existence: to praise God. Then we are to become indifferent to things of this world. Creativity is called a basic characteristic of God, therefore the author believes that creating words of art, etc. Here the author writes:

After you have made clear your desire to know God in creativity, the next step in this prayer practice is to start noticing what creative activities naturally draw your interest. … As you open yourself to the all-pervasive reality of the creative power of God, you begin to see creativity blossoming everywhere. [Page 96.]

Journaling (writing down what God brings to mind during prayer), body prayer (breathing = prayer), walking while praying, seeing God in Nature, trusting God to meet our worldly needs, and developing a praying community are the remain chapters' subjects.

Copyrighted by Diana Pederson, 2005-2009