Customer Reviews

The Essential Catholic Prayer Book: A Collection of Private and Community Prayers (Essential (Liguori))

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This book is a lovely compendium of centuries of Catholic tradition in the form of prayer. The book starts off with an introduction to prayer, why we pray, why we should pray, how prayer is found in both the Old and New Testaments and how we can overcome difficulties to prayer. The book ends with a brief "manual" of ways to pray; whether it be praying at a certain time of day, reflective prayer while studying an aspect of life (be it physical or spiritual), different types of prayer (thanksgiving, intercession, contritiion, etc etc).

Between these two chapters are 250 prayers that are steeped in Catholic tradition. Prayers range from everyday prayers known to every Catholic (Our Father, Glory Be, Hail Mary, Apostles Creed), to prayers to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, prayers to Mary and the Saints and prayers for specific intentions (for the sick, confessional, before/during/after the Mass). There are a number of devotionals and litanies in the book which I found especially spiritual, as well as some of the more well-known chaplets (prayers using rosary-beads as a structure for the prayer) and novenas.

Overall, this is one of the most complete books I've ever read on the topic of prayer. It was well worth the ... I paid for it, and I've spiritually recouped my expense with the first week of use of this book. For someone who relies on structured prayer, this book will be invaluable and will offer some nice tips and guides to help nurture your prayer life. I would (and do) highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to deepen their prayer life. I think this book would also make a great gift.

This is a wonderful summarized book of Catholic Prayers. The author has attempted to really include biblical quotes, as well as quotes from Saints and Doctors of the Church. The author uses a wonderful use of ideas on how to pray, and different ways to pray, while stating that it is the reader's preference of prayer that is best. The chapters discuss the following:

Basic Prayers, Morning Prayers, Daily Prayers, Evening Prayers, Prayers Before Mass, the Order of Mass, Prayers Before Communion, After Communion, After Mass, Before Confession, After Confession, to Jesus Christ Crucified, to the Sacred Heart, to the Holy Name, to the Child Jesus, for Divine Mercy, to the Holy Eucharist, to the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Trinity, Prayers to the Mary, Saints Prayers to Mary, Prayers to Mary Under Special Titles, Devotions, Prayers for Personal Needs, for Particular Groups, for Holidays, Prayers for the Sick, Dying, and Deceased, Prayers for Saintly Intercession, to the Holy Angels, for Friends and Family, for Special Intentions, and lastly the brief manual of ways to pray.

I highly recommend this book!

It is difficult for me decide if this is the best prayer book ever. "Queen of the Apostles Prayerbook" is in a close tie with it.

The "Essential Catholic Prayer Book" is the best prayer book to give some one as a gift or to purchase for yourself if you are seeking gudiance in your prayer life, or are looking for new ways to pray, or returning to prayer after a long absence. It includes many traditional staple prayers and devotions, and those that are less well known, such as the Divine Mercy prayers, the Chaplet for the Infant of Prague, and the most recent set of mysteries that were added to the rosary.

"The Essential Prayer Book's" advantage over the "Queen of the Apostles Prayerbook" is its inclusion of essays on methods of prayers, which provide helpful guidelines. This section encompasses such topics as: how scripture can complement prayer life, how meditatively praying with chaplets differs from basic vocal prayers, and the use of meditation as a source of prayer. Great information for some one who does not have the time or familiarity with writings of people like Theresa of Avila, John of the Crosss or other inspired authors who have written books on approaches of prayer. It also has a great dictionary of terms. This would be a wonderful gift for parishes to give to their faith formation classes.

It was very hard to choose which prayer book to buy and so I bought two at the same time just to have a comparison. One book is called Catholic book of prayers that got rave reviews. It was also a very good prayer book and the it is written in big print. I was leaning on this one because I have poor eyes not until I read the Essential Catholic Prayer Book. It is written in regular size print but the prayers in this book is more complete and meaningful to me. For example: The station of the cross, The essential Catholic Prayer book explained every station and at the end of every station you have to recite Our Father.., Hail Mary then Jesus Crucified, have mercy on us. The other book don't have that. The Catholic book of prayers have the Holy Mass but this one don't have it. Still I prefer this book. Both prayer books are good it just depend who you ask. I will give the other one to my sister and keep the other for myself.

This is a beautiful collection of prayers with which every Catholic needs to be familiar. The prayers are thoughtfully organized, with brief and clear explanations where necessary. Of all the prayerbooks I've read over the years, this one has been the most useful in helping me focus my prayer time. This is an excellent value, and highly recommended!

This is an awesome prayer book to have. I keep this one as well as The Catholic Prayer Book (ISBN 0892832835) at the head of my bed. I enjoy reading these in the morning and evening, but I find them as real special in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep.

This book has a wonderful beginning section how prayer is taught in the New Testament, how we should pray, and how should we overcome difficulties in prayer. It has prayers for just about anything you could imagine, such as morning prayers, evening prayers, prayers during the day, prayers before and after eating, saint prayers, prayers to the Virgin Mary for intercession, etc.. It has a large area of questions to help the examination of conscience - great assistance to use before going to confession. It has a section to meditate on the stations of the cross. It even covers various aids to use to help deepen your prayer life.

This is a book pact with prayers and information to assist in ones prayer life, whether you are new to prayer, or a lifelong person of prayer.

I found this book to be a very affordable prayer book that covers a wealth of prayer topics. I found what I was looking for right away with the index provided.