Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide [Paperback]

Debra K. Farrington (Author), Phyllis Tickle (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

"To pray unceasingly" is a command given to Christians by Paul in Thessalonians. What does it mean to pray without ceasing, especially in today's busy world of rapid change and the stress that accompanies it? Debra Farrington explains that praying constantly "is as simple, and as difficult, as recalling God's presence often throughout the day, by connecting Scripture and daily activities." Her new book, Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide,, provides concrete ways that readers can begin to practice unceasing prayer.

The book is broken down into two parts: the first suggests prayers for specific times and activities of the day, and the second provides prayers for times of need and times of celebration. Through practical, realistic examples, Farrington demonstrates how to make all action, or inaction, a time of prayer. The simple act of dressing can allow us to ask the Lord to be clothed "with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). A commute to work can offer an opportunity to ask God's guidance and direction.

Unceasing Prayer is ideal for all those whose schedules are not conducive to formal prayer. College students, parents of young children, caregivers, and those who are ill, will benefit from this new approach to daily prayer. All individuals engaged in a prayer life, both beginners and those who are more experienced, will find new meaning and renewed vision in this little guide.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What does it mean to "pray unceasingly," as Paul encourages Christians to do in the New Testament Book of 1 Thessalonians? In Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide, Debra Farrington urges readers to imagine that "unceasing prayer" is more accessible than they might think - that it can, in fact, be accomplished while "doing the dishes, feeding the cat, working at your desk, making love, or helping the kids with their homework." Farrington offers a book of "short Scripture-prayers" to invite readers to pray and acknowledge God's presence throughout the day. There are Bible verses for jogging, for taking a shower, for moments of anger, for expressing thankfulness at a happy family gathering. This is, quite simply, a beautiful and elegant book.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

A gentle realistic guide to begin seeing God in everything we do and everyone we meet. -- CBA Marketplace, June 2002

A wonderful little book on prayer. -- Living Church, October 6, 2002

Simple, practical guide for those who want ot make every day sacred. -- Christian Retailing, September 2002

Wonderful in simplicity. . .but most helpful is the conversion that comes over the reader -- Interim, September 2002

. . .simple and non-threatening. . . -- Cokesbury, Fall/Winter 2002

Anyone can benefit from the simple practice of these prayers. -- Episcopal Life, November 2002

I actually cannot imagine any reader. . . who could not benefit from this compact, supercharged manual for daily spirituality. -- The Episcopal New Yorker, September/October 2002

Simple, sound, and Scriptural method for unceasing prayer without empty words. -- The Clarion, November 2002

Product Details

• Paperback: 146 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA) (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557253048
• ISBN-13: 978-1557253040
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,285,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Little Gem, July 23, 2003

By 

Readers Paradise "Book Club" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I received this book as a gift, and after reading it I realized this book was given to me at the right time. This is also the gift that continues to give. Each time I am able to make someone feel better about something in their life from one of the prayers in this book, the gift materializes once again.

Unceasing Prayer: A Beginners Guide, is set up in two parts with sub chapters. It is simplistiuc but not too simple. The font is very appealing to the eyes.

I challenge all the Saints reading this review to pray unceasingly, no I double dare you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A simple way of prayer, July 16, 2007

By 

Mary McWilliams (N. Wildwood, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

From brushing your teeth to dealing with disasters, this compact little edition offers suggestions to keep prayer in your life any moment of the day.
Only 145 pages, and small pages at that, Unceasing Prayer is divided into two parts. Part 1 offers simple passages from the psalms and Bible and targets them for the mundane part of life. When taking a drink of water: "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (Psalm 42:2). Part 2 takes on the more trying times of life. When someone needs an assurance of the presence of God: "Before you God will answer, while you are yet speaking, God will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
While it may even seem too simplistic, this pocket prayer guide is supposed to be just that. It intends to make prayer easy and effortless and it does. It's a reminder that prayer doesn't always need to be a formal sit-down (or kneel-down) with the Father, and that a few words of gratitude even before exercising or while feeding the pets are welcome to the Lord's ears.
It is neatly designed with a prayer per page, many of which are adorned with simple drawings. The categories are printed at the top of the page to locate easily the prayer you need. It makes a nice gift for yourself or for someone who needs a little support and encouragement in the prayer department.

5.0 out of 5 stars Helps me remember to pray, March 17, 2010

By 

C. Chiu - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unceasing Prayer: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I bought this book when I was trying to learn how to pray with ceasing. It definitely gave me ideas of how to pray more often and verses from the Bible that can be used as short prayers. It is a small book that can easily fit in your purse or large pocket too.