Customer Reviews

God and You: Prayer As a Personal Relationship

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This first book of Bill Barry's is easy to read, but the reader will find many profound insights. Fr. Barry combins his interest and training in spiritual direction and his Ph.D. in psychology to answer basic questions on prayer. When I look back on this work after reading some of the authors other books or more accademic works I find that he said it all here. I'd strongly recommend this for any adult begining in prayer or any "old timer" who has limited themselves to the style of praying they learned as a child.

This is the kind of book that makes you wish to underline or highlight every sentence. It has no dead spots. While the book encourages resting in God's presence as a form of prayer, it is not a "restful" or "easy" book, but one that demands attention. It rewards that attention not with pat answers about the nature of God, but with an overarching vision of God as Love, and with ideas--but not demands--on how we can experience that Love as a presence infusing our lives. The book was loaned to me by my own Director, and I anticipate getting my own copy. There is no way you can get it all at once: if you can do that, you are either St. Ignatius himself or have a photographic memory and perfect understanding. Fr. Barry's work bears restudy and should be taken up again at intervals so we may remind ourselves of the God whom we not only serve, but in whose arms we rest.

This is a very valuable approach to prayer. It helped me get deeper than the pre-scripted prayers that have become almost meaningless thru repetition. Most important, it showed me how to get past the boredom induced by reluctance to talk to God about my resentments and shortcomings.

A short book written by an experienced (Jesuit) pastoral psychologist on the topic of prayer. It came highly recommended by my Spiritual Director. Great for the person who is beginning to develop a "conscious" relationship with God through prayer. "Conscious" meaning being aware of the presence of God in our everyday lives. This practical book provides insights into understanding emotions and prayer, images of God and prayer and the effects of prayer as well as others. Simply written, but powerful and full of insight!

prayer life. Fr. Barry has many years of experience as a spiritual director, and it all shines throguh in his writings. He is phenomenal, especiall for the fact that his writings are very down to earth and easy to understand.

"God and You, Prayer as a Personal Relationship" is an amazing little book by William A. Barry, S.J. It is simple, basic, and profound. I read it one chapter at a time, with time to ponder and put into practice what I read. Fr. Barry has written a truly remarkable book that touched me deeply - it would not be exaggerating to say that it was life-changing. I have already given it as a gift. There are many different ways to approach prayer, I feel sure that the reader will connect with at least one of the ways Fr. Barry discusses. Highly recommend!

This book totally changed my perspective of prayer. I have not felt more confident or sure in my prayer life. I have been able to focus completly on prayer much more throughout my day and have felt a bond between God and I form. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone of any religion looking to closen their relationship with God.

This book is just another in a series of attempts to reconcile Freudian psychology with the Christian spiritual message. Unfortunately, the two are incompatible! The project is absolutely exhausted. I got more of a sense of the insecurity of the author than of the greatness of God. Readers earnestly seeking to improve their prayer life might try Peter Kreeft's Prayer for Beginners. Also, in response to Freudianism, anything by Vickt Frankl.