Customer Reviews

Adventures in Daily Prayer: Experiencing the Power of God's Love

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am sometimes asked by publishers and authors to review a new book coming out, and if the book looks interesting, I happily agree. After all, I love books. Brazos Press recently asked me to review Bert Ghezzi's new book "Adventures in Daily Prayer." Considering that Bert is my editor at Our Sunday Visitor, I felt I had to say yes. So I received the book and began to read it. I admit that sometimes I read a review book only in order to review it; in other words, I don't really read it intensely and for personal benefit, but instead only to write a review of the book. I also admit that I started reading this book with this attitude. But once I began, my whole attitude changed. I realized that this was a book that could truly help me in my own prayer life, so I changed gears and began to seriously - and prayerfully - read it. I am very glad I did, because this is an excellent guide for anyone who is serious about prayer.

Over the years I have come to see the importance of a daily prayer life, and this is where Bert's book is so useful. You see, Bert has been praying daily for fifty years, so he knows a thing or two about it. He shares his insights and reflections from these fifty years in an incredibly accessible and helpful way. He combines his own personal experiences with the wisdom of Scripture and the Saints to help the reader along the path to a deeper prayer commitment. He addresses subjects such as listening to God, praying with Scripture and recognizing God's presence, all in a manner that can be practically applied in one's life. No matter if you are a beginner at daily prayer or have been doing it for years, Bert's experiences are sure to be helpful.

I am convinced that daily prayer radically changes lives, and Bert Ghezzi has given his readers a wonderful guide to participating in daily prayer in his new book, "Adventures in Daily Prayer." I recommend it highly to anyone who is serious about growing in holiness (and shouldn't that be everyone?).

Anytime I see Bert Ghezzi's name on the spine of a book, I stop to take a look. As one of the original leaders in the charismatic renewal, long-time editor of New Covenant magazine, the author of numerous books and articles, an international speaker and regular guest on EWTN - all while being a husband and father of seven - he is long on insight. "But," you might ask, "what more can be written about personal prayer?" Well, prepare yourself to be humbled my friend; I know I was.

In this book, Bert (yes, Bert - with the glimpse these pages give of his interior life, "Dr. Ghezzi" doesn't feel right) shares the tried and tested principles that have sustained him in prayer for over 45 years, through the highs and lows common to us all. The element that really set this work apart for me was Bert's conviction that all of us are meant to hear from God - it's just a matter of making a commitment to remain within earshot of Him.

The rest of the book gives the simple, clear-cut ways to do exactly that. I said that I was humbled by this book, and I meant it. Bert's wisdom and stories alerted me to the gifts and inner dispositions I have neglected of late. Take Scripture for instance: I say a short prayer before I read the daily Gospel that arrives via email each morning; but I am not stopping to give it the attention Scripture deserves. I have not been chewing over this word the Father sent His Son into the world to give me! At the end of Bert's chapter on Scripture, as with all of the chapters, he provides several points to Think over - Pray about - and Act on: "What would you have to change to build Scripture study into your daily routine?"; "If you are not already reading Scripture daily, decide to study the Gospel of Mark for fifteen minutes every day for the next month. . ." His chapter on "Praying with Thanksgiving" would have been reason enough for me to grab this book.

Trust me though, there is no "wagging of the finger." In fact, it's just the opposite. Bert is quite transparent regarding shortcomings in his temperament and mistakes he has made, and how God continues to challenge and correct him. It is an exceptional testimony to how prayer is a gift meant for our enrichment, not God's. Praise, thanksgiving, lectio divina, dryness, intercession - it's all about taking on the image of Jesus, the image stamped on our souls in baptism.

If you are just setting out on the adventure of daily prayer, then I honestly can't think of a better book with which to start; I have a friend with whom I can't wait to share it. And if, like me, you've been on this road a few years and need to take stock of where you're at, then here is your GPS. No dry theory here folks - it's all tread marks on asphalt.

When someone writes a book on prayer after praying daily for forty-five straight years, it deserves attention. Bert Ghezzi is just such a man, and his latest book, "Adventures In Daily Prayer" (Brazos Press, hardcover, 160 pages), summarizes decades of his experience with this spiritual discipline.

Most people wouldn't place their prayers in the `adventure' genre. A more likely category would be `silent-film', or maybe even `horror'. Many people pray daily, but a good number of their prayers are tainted with difficulty. "Adventures In Daily Prayer" answers this frustration and dullness, not through five-easy-steps, but through personal anecdotes from Bert's life and wisdom from ancient spiritual masters.

"Adventures In Daily Prayer" reveals that prayer is more than just a way to get things from God. Instead, it is primarily a path toward intimacy with the Lord. Bert exhibits this reality through numerous stories. Whether through a tangible experience of the Holy Spirit, a fresh insight during `lectio divina', or a sensing of God's voice, Bert shows how God constantly draws toward us in our daily prayers.

The book also transmits Bert's love for the Saints. His saintly friends can't help but make cameos throughout his latest writing. St. Bonaventure explains how to pray with Scripture, Aelred of Rievaulx shows how to pray with others, and Julian of Norwich teaches how to pray in the midst of spiritual dryness. The book is full with many Saints who offer beautiful lessons on prayer.

"Adventures In Daily Prayer" is written for anyone who wants to pray more, better, or even at all. Beginners and advanced students alike will benefit from the book. Despite Bert's vast history of prayer, he never writes condescendingly, never chastising inconsistent prayer habits. But he also refrains from taking a frivolous approach. He encourages Christians to take prayer seriously and to make it the foundation of each day. His gentle sternness is the advice you would expect from such an experienced pray-er.

Overall, Bert's book makes it easy to get sucked into the `adventure of daily prayer'. The book shows how difficulty is enlivened by faithfulness, and dullness is invigorated by fresh types of prayer. From the ancient advice of Saints to Bert's own personal stories, it is hard to put this book down unmoved to pray.

(Full disclosure: Bert is one of my dearest friends, and I'm also featured a couple of times within the book. I tried not to let my bias influence the review.)

This book was excellent. It had so many insightful words that really made you think. His writing is very understandable even for those who are just starting out on their faith journey. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to go deeper in their relationship with God.