September is here and so it is back to some serious reading! What better and appropriate way to start than with a Book Of Prayers, 'A Time To Pray' compiled by Philip Law.
The pensive, 'Virgin At Prayer' (by Quentin Massys (1466-1530) is a most fitting jacket cover illustration to this beautiful, hard backed book.
The Book itself contains 365 best-loved prayers, literally one for each day of the year. Each month looks at a particular source. I found July very interesting with contributions from poets such as George Herbert (1593-1633), John Byron (1692-1763) and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).
What better way to commence the year than to turn to the Psalms and January 1st starts off with Psalm 8: 'O Lord, Our Lord, your greatness is seen in all the world!'
The much loved Psalm 23 is featured for January 7th and my favourite
(Psalm 139) appears on January 28th:
'O Lord thou hast searched me and
known me, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising'.
February looks at praying with the Prophets and The Apostles and March the Early Christians, e.g. Irenaeus Of Lyons (c. 130- 200) and Polycarp (69-155).
There is a change again in April when attention is drawn to the Celts and in May, help from people such as King Alfred (849-901) and Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) is sought. (Praying With Medieval Christians). Included amongst this selection is the beautiful and concise Jesus Prayer: - 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son Of God, have mercy on me, a sinner'. (XIth Century).
The Preface to this Book is written by the writer of one of the contemporary poems, David Adam, (December 1st) who suggests to us that although it is so important in prayer to use our own words, "Here are prayers to increase our awareness, to tune our senses, to open our hearts".
The prayers are said to have been selected to be of special help to anyone seeking to deepen and enrich their spiritual life. An excellent book to use oneself or to give as a gift. 'A Time To Pray' edited by Philip Law. (Lion) £14.99.
written by Lynn Winter
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page last updated 27 AUGUST 1998