The Need and the Blessing of Prayer (Paperback)

~ (Author), Bruce W. Gillette (Translator) "Man does very many quite diverse things..." (more)
Key Phrases: temporal eternity, everyday prayer, immense longing, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, The German

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With theological passion, spiritual intensity, and the infectious power of igniting thought, the late Karl Rahner, S.J., opens up a creative new understanding of prayer.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 101 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press; 3rd edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814624537
• ISBN-13: 978-0814624531
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #525,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure to be savoured and used in meditation, October 26, 2000

By	Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Each chapter in this work provides enough material for reflection to fill a month - and, perhaps, that is the way to enjoy it fully. Father Rahner's sermons on prayer, especially deep and poignant because they were originally delivered to Germans suffering the pain and deprivation following the second world war, are exquisitely beautiful. He writes movingly of how God strips aways our false ways, how the Holy Spirit and Christ within us "pray for us" when our own efforts are weak, and far more. Much of it may be difficult to ponder, but the ring of truth and love are so clear that the light of resurrection shows the cross to be a shadow. Superb work to be read at any time, but particularly when one is struggling in one's own prayer life. Those who are familiar with this brilliant Jesuit through his systematic theology will see that the picture is incomplete without observing what a great man of prayer he was.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enabled me to pray, July 7, 2000

By	Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

A powerful book on prayer by one of the most important Christian theologians of the 20th century.

If you think you want to pray but have trouble even beginning because belief in a loving God seems like ludicrously wishful thinking in such a mess of a world, try out this book. Rahner understands suffering, he understands atheism, he understands angst (this book is based on sermons preached in bombed-out Munich in 1946), and yet he dares to be Christian and to pray.

Two other books that I've found especially helpful: C. S. Lewis's "Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer" and Ann and Barry Ulanov's "Primary Speech: A Psychology of Prayer."

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moved by the Spirit of God, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

An excellent theologian that shares not only his thoughts but his personal spiritual experience. Faithful to the Church and to his vocation as a Jesuit Priest, Karl Rahner is a great help in priestly ministry nowadays. Open to the needs of the world, he shows the need and the blessing of prayer. The translation is excellent, in good modern English.