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153 of 159 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Praying - The rosary is NOT just for Catholics!, March 17, 2005
This review is from: Practical Praying (Hardcover)
Kudos to John Edward for having the bravery to write this book! It is unfortunate that Mr. Edward has to make disclaimers in this book about not endorsing or representing any particular religion, nor is he claiming any special supernatural communications from God or Mary. But this is the climate and culture we live in, where psychics are demonized for claiming what Christ said we would all do. Fortunately, Mr. Edward is able to move past this, and make you feel as if he is talking directly to you the reader.
In the book, John shares some very deep personal experiences from throughout his life that deepened and strengthened his personal relationship with Mary the Mother of Christ: childhood, the period of time that his mother became ill, and adult experiences afterward. Reading this book, you receive an intimate view into John's personal viewpoint of his relationship with God, and how Mary and the rosary plays an important part in that relationship.
He shares the basics of how the Catholic church teaches the rosary, but emphasizes that the words themselves are not so important as your "presence" in the prayer itself, leaving room open for you to put your own intentions into the prayer or use the classic form of meditatation upon the mysteries of Mary's and Jesus' life and passion.
The book also includes a workbook type section with suggestions for exercises to get into a space where you can reflect, and focus on what you want your prayer dialog to be.
Roma Downey prays the entire rosary on the CD, as well as John. There is also a guided meditation on the audio by John that is a preparation for your prayer journey, that is absolutely wonderful.
I'm confident this book will ignite a fire in Catholics like myself who may have let their rosaries gather dust over the years, to pick it back up again. I'm hoping and praying it will inspire non-Catholics to seek out the rosary, as a way to deepen their prayer life also. The included CD will help you to feel like you're not alone in your prayers, as you can pray along with Roma or John until you feel comfortable enough with the prayers, to pray them by yourself.
This is by far, my favorite John Edward book and audio.
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74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best John Edward Book yet!, April 19, 2005
This review is from: Practical Praying (Hardcover)
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This is truly a wonderful and inspirational book.
In the past, I had not been sure about the authenticity of John Edward. I did, however, believe that he was providing a comfort to those suffering from grief due to the loss of a close loved-one.
So, regardless if he was truly communicating with the spirit of one passed-on or whether he was only communicating from within himself, he was still providing a service to those suffering.
This book is inspirational in that John tells how the Rosary has helped him in the loss of his Mother, Aunt, and Granmother and how it centers him in his work. Now that I have read this book, he has me believing that he is a true blessing.
The book comes with an audio CD which has the rosary spoken by Roma Downey and another version by John Edward. This is truly wonderful.
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65 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you for Honoring your guides, March 21, 2005
This review is from: Practical Praying (Hardcover)
I just finished John Edward's New book Practical Praying: Using The Rosary To Enhance Your Life. It is Mr .Edward's most personal book to date.
I feel this book is a gift.
This book is not a religious book, it is a tool to open up a PERSONAL "Prayer dialogue" with god within your own belief system.
I am Catholic, and as a child learning the rosary was very much as John explained it..And Yes I did Chuckle after reading page 27. Learning the rosary was very much like
"just another thing a kid was told to do like eat your vegetables"
If you are Catholic, you will be able to laugh, cry and relate to John's own personal Journey. You will see your childhood written on those pages. We have all had Sister Mary Terror's in our childhood....
But I feel you will be moved even if you are not familar with the rosary. This book is so much more than the historical and religious gift of the rosary...It is a gift of helping ANYONE ( no matter what religious background you came from) connect or reconnect with God.
You can apply Practical Praying to your life without having rosary beads in your hand........And that statement didnt hit me until after I read the book!
My Mom and I had a huge connection with the rosary beads. When I buried her on Good Friday last year and noticed that someone took her beads from the coffin..I gently slipped mine in her hands. I felt lost with out them. When I return home exhausted and sad..I prayed without my rosary beads for the first time....Literally within 5 minutes there was a ring at the door and someone who I appreciate very much send me rosary beads!!!
(I feel my mom heard my prayers) A note inside said they were from Mexico city!! My Mom always spoke about wanting to go to Mexico City!!! Yesterday... I held those rosary beads as I read John's book and reading about John's travel to Mexico City made me feel like My Mom and I were taking the journey together
(((thank you))))
It hit me after reading this book.....My Mom heard my prayers without the beads in my hands....and throughout this book John speaks about your own Prayer Dialogue. My Prayers were answered even though I didn't have my beads..It is really about creating your own Prayer Dialogue with God...A personal connection that I feel John Edward was very brave to share...thank you
You will also find the mini workbook in the back helpful....
Thank you John Edward for honoring your guides....Your work is very much appreciated.
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