Customer Reviews

Living Prayer

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the privelege of meeting Mr. Benson at CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) in July, 1999. After a half-hour chat with him, I knew this humble, humble man could only write what my heart needed to hear! And was I right! This is the BEST book I've ever read on prayer life. I have bought a copy for everyone I know and some people I don't know! When I speak to audiences on prayer, this is the number one book I suggest! My advice to all reading this: If you buy only one book on prayer, make this one it!

Favorite Line: We must somehow stop offering ourselves in prayer and begin offering ourselves as prayer.

Amen!

This is Benson's finest offering. The writing is great; the thematic arrangement is outstanding. I read this book as I was beginning to discover the contemplative lifestyle, and this book helped me to understand the rhythms of prayer and of the church year. This is not a how-to manual: the chapters are descriptive of Benson's experience and of what he has learned in the art of prayer. Therein lies the power of the book: Because Benson does not tell us what to do, he has left us the freedom to join in the "Dance" in whatever way we can. He runs the gamut in prayer experience. From simple prayer, to journaling, to praying the hours, to keeping a journal, there is something in here for everyone who is on a spiritual journey to/with the Christian God, regardless of what stage they are at. This book and Benson's first, _Between the Dreaming and the Coming True_, are the ONLY books on the spiritual life that I recommend to people. They are that good! You cannot go wrong with this book.

Reading this book, I felt I knew the author and would like to meet him in person. I savored his observations on the life and rhythms of prayer. Some have described prayer as an "adventure" -- Robert's adventure is like a walk under the trees on an autumn day -- vivid, subtle, and steeped in quiet beauty.

I devoured "Living Prayer" in one sitting. Robert Benson's willingness to share the stories of his own spiritual journey captivates his readers and enables them to become companions on the journey. There is a timelessness yet a freshness to his insights. This is a must-read for Christians who hear the call to prayer.

Benson's book is not an instructional manual on prayer but a description of the author's own experiences in learning to pray. He quotes a sentence by Nikos Kazantzakis:"Only he who obeys a rhythm superior to his own is free." Benson looks for rhythms to serve as a guide to prayer. He finds such disparate rhythms as the rhythms of the mass, the Eucharist, the year, and the day. Prayer follows such rhythms, but also orders them. A key question for Benson is that of how to live a life of prayer in the midst of a life, of a society, which discourages and interferes with devotion. He provides some suggestions, but doesn't come up with a satisfactory answer. I get the impression that he has not yet satisfactorily answered the question in his own life. Perhaps it is enough that he raises the question in such a thoughtful and challenging manner. Benson gives us all encouragement in pursuing the life of prayer; his life gives evidence that this pursuit is not a vain one.

This little book is beautifully written, making you feel that you are with Benson, either in conversation or actually in his head. As he brings you through aspects of his spiritual search, you are also given seven or more ways to spiritually connect with God. I rarely keep books once I have read them, but this one will always remain on my shelf if not in my hand.

This is Benson's finest offering. The writing is great; the thematic arrangement is outstanding. I read this book as I was beginning to discover the contemplative lifestyle, and this book helped me to understand the rhythms of prayer and of the church year. This is not a how-to manual: the chapters are descriptive of Benson's experience and of what he has learned in the art of prayer. Therein lies the power of the book: Because Benson does not tell us what to do, he has left us the freedom to join in the "Dance" in whatever way we can. He runs the gamut in prayer experience. From simple prayer, to journaling, to praying the hours, to keeping a journal, there is something in here for everyone who is on a spiritual journey to/with the Christian God, regardless of what stage they are at. This book and Benson's first, _Between the Dreaming and the Coming True_, are the ONLY books on the spiritual life that I recommend to people. They are that good! You cannot go wrong with this book.

This is a book to be read, re-read, savored, then to be used for one's personal quest to a personal relationship with God. A treasure.

From the very beginning, Robert fulfills our longings to have prayer vibrate. His prose is magnetic, funny and lyrical. Without preaching, he urges a daily prayer life because it works, is fun and give purpose and meaning to life. Truly, Robert is one of the gifted writers of this age.

I love this book. Benson leads the reader through a life prayer and lets us see that listening to God is an organic, natural process. A modern classic