Customer Reviews

Essence of Prayer (Hiddenspring)

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This book is a collection of 19 articles, 13 of which have been previously published but have here for the first time been conveniently gathered. Despite the disparate and repetitive nature of such a collection, there is an underlying unity, and important things bear repetition. The first half of the book concerns the nature of prayer, the second half Carmelite history and the spirituality of Carmelites whose lives and doctrine illustrate those principles of prayer: Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, Elizabeth of the Trinity. Burrows is a Carmelite nun whose works include Guidelines for Mystical Prayer, Fire Upon the Earth (about Teresa of Avila), and Ascent to Love (on John of the Cross). She reminds us in particular that prayer is much more what God does in us than what we do for God. Rather than spending time worrying about methods of prayer or seeking conscious experience of grace, we need to be present in faith, trust and surrender to the Lord, allowing God to work in us. "We must remember that prayer takes place at the deepest level of our person and escapes our direct cognition; therefore we can make no judgment about it." This, of course, is a blow to our ego, and that on the whole is a good thing.

Ruth Burrows provides an enlightening look at Carmelite Spirituality. And, illumines the reader to an aspect of prayer one might not think to consider, that one does not do prayer but rather, is the recipient of God's action. The book also provides for some very good history on Sts. Theresa of Avila, Elizabeth of the Trinity and Therese of Lisieux. Anyone reading this book will feel the time spent was of spiritual value.

This book provides great insight into prayer, especially the Carmelite charism. Anyone who is serious about their prayer life would benefit from this book.

I was assigned this book for an online course that I'm taking on the "Spirituality of the Deacon" from the "Pontifical College, the Josephenium". I have underlined so many pages of thought provoking and soul inspiring passages that it almost makes the underlining superfluous as every page is nearly underlined. That which is so inspiring is the constant emphasis on God working in us, regardless of our being cognizant of it. Letting go of our working at prayer but plugging into God working with us is the reality. This book is a keeper for any serious Christian concerned about their relation with their living God.

This is an excellent collection of essays on what prayer really is and what it is not.

I am a fan of Sister Ruth Burrows. This is the second book of hers I have read. In fact, I am still reading it. This is a book you do not want to rush through. You want to savor it, reflect on it and let its wisdom engulf you. I will read it again because there is so much wisdom in this book, one cannot possible grasp it all at once. Superb spiritual reading!