Customer Reviews

For Those We Love But See No Longer: Daily Offices for Times of Grief

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

 

 

when my wife, Jennifer, died in June 2000. There is a time of spiritual suffering that every believer must face. There are the great questions, the deep valleys followed by even deeper ones. There is incredible and acute loneliness, followed by guilt at the occasional joy and laughter.

I struggled very much after losing my Jennifer. The Psalms, in which so many find comfort, were difficult. Any kind of "discipline" in my spiritual life seemed impossible. It was so hard to structure my day, and even harder to find time to engage in the spiritual disciplines to shape (and re-shape) my relationship with God. The despair simply built and built.

I was able to find my way, through the help of many friends, but I can tell you now that I wish I had had this book a year ago. What a difference it would have made to be able to follow the daily office with texts built around the pain of grief.

There is something about praying the Psalms. They are ordained praise, regardless of your meaning, intent, and feeling. God has ordained these texts as his praise, his conversation and instruction. And within the leaves of this work they are alive and molding. For those of you who are now in the throes of grief, I pray that you find this book soon. Immerse yourself in the daily office, let God speak to you as you draw near to him through the life-giving streams of spiritual devotion. I find powerful peace in them even today, as the pain surfaces again and brings to mind the questions of faith. If you have recently lost, this book is vital for you.

God bless you in your coming struggle, and may the communion of the saints bring you peace. Feel free to email me if you need someone to talk to. The Lord be with you.

I recently lost my partner. I had kept my loved one in my prayers for over 17 years and felt a great loss when praying and not fully understanding how to pray for the one I lost. I was searching for a prayer guide to assist me in focusing at a time when remembering the day of the week was difficult.

I could find thousands of books to deal with grief. No difficulty finding books for prayers on thousands of topics. None of them brought together the need of finding structure in praying for my loved one while helping me with my loss, spiritual confusion, and grief.

I stumbled upon this book and found that it had the structure I needed. The books preface provides a great historical insight into the prayer structure used. While using the book as my template I learned it not only provided structure but flexibility. The book itself has given me piece of mind and an ability to focus and meditate for the loved one I no longer see. I now have a very healthy tool to keep my loved one in my prayers and keep the spirit close to me.

My husband, Greg and dearest friend, Caroline both died of cancer in their forties. He died after a protracted illness and she followed him four months to the day afterwards, from a sudden illness. There are no words for the devastation I felt. I was completely alone, although surrounded by loving friends. This book became my lifeline. I prayed with it every day for four years, and gradually, it healed me.

I since have worked in a cancer center with other widows and widowers, and no matter their faith tradition, they find this little book a help and a comfort. I have probably given away over one hundred copies so far.

Thank you, Lisa, for this healing gem.