Pray without ceasing

I am not very good at prayer...

An unexpected and unusual opening sentence for a book about prayer. And a declaration from the beginning that the book is basically a journey of exploration, an exercise in unpacking something that is constant within the Christian tradition, a reflection on Paul's command to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), an invitation to join the author as he recalls his own experiences of learning to pray, what prayer is like, how prayer 'works' in various times and ages and situations.

Pray without ceasing also considers the discipline needed for prayer, persistence, learning from others within the tradition, including the desert fathers and mothers, considering the advice of acknowledged teachers like John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Henri Nouwen. It records journeys, study, encounters with groups, deep theological refection, ministries in various countries and places. It lists prayers that have helped the author to find words that express his life of prayer and his desire to share that life with others.

Pray without ceasing is honest, recalling failures, distractions and difficulties as well as celebrations and successes. It is the story of a journey that many will find familiar, inviting, encouraging. Above all, at its heart, a reminder that it is the free gift of the Holy Spirit that works in each of us, helping us to grow in prayer and, finally, allowing us, tentatively, to describe what prayer is and what it means to pray without ceasing.