Prayer Reading List
Anthony Bloom, Beginning to Pray (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1970)
This short, beautifully written book is a very good introductory text on how to pray.
Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart (New York: Continuum, 1986)
A good introduction to centering prayer, a method of silent contemplative prayer that is somewhat similar to Zen meditation but derived from the Christian tradition.
Ann & Barry Ulanov, Primary Speech: A Psychology of Prayer (Atlanta, GA: John Knox, 1982)
A very helpful book on the psychology of prayer, including chapters on difficult subjects such as prayer and sexuality and prayer and aggression. This book rewards careful reading.
A New Zealand Prayer Book (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1989)
The prayer book of the Anglican church in New Zealand contains prayers in both English and Maori, including some lovely alternative versions of familiar prayers and prayers for many occasions.
The Psalms
The Saint Helena Psalter (New York: Church Publishing, 2004)
The Book of Psalms is a collection of one hundred and fifty ancient prayers considered scripture in both the Jewish and Christian traditions. They provide a biblical model of how to pray and express the full range of human emotions. This lovely translation of the psalms features inclusive language.
Stephen Mitchell, A Book of Psalms: Selected and Adapted from the Hebrew (New York: HarperPerennial, 1993) A selection of the psalms, translated quite loosely and very beautifully by the well-known translator and poet.
Ellen F. Davis, Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament (Boston: Cowley, 2001)
A collection of excellent essays on the Old Testament, including six essays on the psalms which are helpful in understanding how to use the psalms in prayer.
Cynthia Bourgeault, Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (Boston: Shambhala, 2006)
An introduction to chanting the psalms, from the simplest monotone to more complex systems, including a CD that provides examples of all the different styles. Chanting is a wonderful practice for those who are looking for a more embodied form of prayer.
Prayer Anthologies
Desmond Tutu, An African Prayer Book (New York: Doubleday, 1995)
An anthology of Christian and non-Christian prayers from Africa selected and with introductions by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology, ed. Timothy Ware (London: Faber & Faber, 1966)
An anthology of texts on prayer by different authors from the Christian Orthodox tradition. The Eastern Orthodox tradition has focused more on the practice of prayer, the "how to," than the Western church, and so their writings can be very helpful and practical. I particularly recommend the writings of Theophan the Recluse and St. Dimitri of Rostov in this anthology.
The Oxford Book of Prayer, ed. George Appleton (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986)
An anthology of primarily Christian prayers, with short sections of prayers from other traditions.
Online Prayer Resources
These short daily podcasts include spiritual music, scripture passages, and suggestions for how to reflect upon the passages.
More books on Centering Prayer
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