The African Prayer Book [Hardcover]

Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 1995

The Archbishop of Capetown, Desmond Tutu, shares with readers the simple but profound secrets of his own spiritual strength by unveiling his own book of prayer.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate and archbishop of Capetown, South Africa, draws on the breadth and depth of African spirituality to assemble this little treasury of prayer and devotion. He has arranged material from throughout the African continent and the African diaspora into a traditional pattern of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication. In his introduction, he affirms our interdependence in the words of an African proverb--" A person is a person through other persons" --and he builds on this theme throughout the collection, as he has throughout his life. In the concluding section, "Daily Life," he reminds us that "we are always in the presence of God. Prayer is acknowledging that we are in that presence." In this sense, the whole book is a prayer, one more addition to the already considerable contribution Archbishop Tutu has made to the literature and the practice of spirituality. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

The great Archbishop of Capetown, South Africa, shares with us the simple but profound secrets of his extraordinary spiritual strength by unveiling his very own book of prayer. Prayer, our conversation with God, needs no set formulas or flowery phrases. It often needs no words at all. But for most believers, the words of others can be a wonderful aid to devotion, especially when these words come front faithful fellow pilgrims. The African Prayer Book is just such an aid, for in this collection all the spiritual riches of the vast and varied continent of Africa are bravely set forth. Here we may delight in Solomon's splendid encounter with the Queen of Sheba, overhear the simple prayer of a penniless Bushman, and glory in the sensuous sonorities of the mysterious liturgies of the Egyptian Copts. Here are Jesus' own encounters with Africa, which provided him refuge at the beginning of his life (from the murderous King Herod) and aid at its end (in the person of Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry his cross). Here are the prayers of some of the greatest among the mothers and fathers of the Church -- Monica, Augustine, Clement of Alexandria, Cyprian of Carthag -- as well as the prayers from the African diasporas of North America and the Caribbean. From thunderous multi-invocation litanies to quiet meditations, here are prayers that every heart can speak with strength and confidence. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is for millions the very soul of Africa, is our guide on this unique spiritual journey. His introduction is destined to become a classic, his characteristic energy and optimism light our way, and the words of his favorite prayers (many composed by the Archbishop himself) will stay with us forever. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Religious (May 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340642424
• ISBN-13: 978-0340642429
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,893,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Desmond Mpilo Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and was only the second black person ever to receive it. In 1986 he was elected archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in South Africa. In 1994, after the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela, Tutu was appointed as chair of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate apartheid-era crimes. His policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has become an international example of conflict resolution, and a trusted method of postconflict reconstruction. He is currently the chair of The Elders, where he gives vocal defense of human rights and campaigns for the oppressed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luminous - a wonderful collection of prayers and devotions, June 16, 2000

By 

Sophia (the Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: An African Prayer Book (Hardcover)

In "The African Prayer Book," Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town has assembled a series of prayers on such topics as adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, supplication and daily life; ranging from authors who wrote their prayers in antiquity, and those living in modern times. Although the primary focus is Christian, prayers from other faith traditions are included.

This book is exquisite, to see and touch as well as to read, and the prayers are beautiful. Archbishop Tutu prefaces each chapter with a meditation on the topic: those alone are well worth owning the book. A wonderful collection.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The African Prayer Book, January 11, 2000

By 

Agustine (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An African Prayer Book (Hardcover)

This book is just beautiful. It is a wonderful collection of prayers and poetry. The very first one entitled An African Canticle is worth the price alone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power of Prayer Desmond Tutu, May 23, 2010

By 

Eve Gate - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An African Prayer Book (Paperback)

I loved this book. It embodies the beautiful Soul of a man in the midst of the chaos in South Africa as the South African people struggled to throw off the yoke of apartheid. His stories about his experiences are moving and awesome. Tutu waded into the mob of angry demonstrators and was able to disuade them from murder or worse. It was a violent time. He has an enormous loving caring heart! People such as he do not come along all that often in a lifetime. Spend time with this book!