The Essence of Prayer: Foreword by Sister Wendy Beckett

Description

Prayer is a word we take for granted but what do we mean by prayer? Almost always when we talk about prayer we refer to something we DO. But Burrows argues that our Christian knowledge assures us that prayer is essentially what God DOES. And what God is doing for us is giving us the Divine Self in love. This is the vision of a contemplative nun who contradicts the heresy of so much modern spiritual writing. The growing fascination in the contemplative and monastic life is evidence of the profound appeal of this approach. For this there is a real hunger. Ultimately, we live for God and not for ourselves.

Ruth Burrows is a Carmelite Nun from Quidenham in Norfolk, UK. She is the author of a number of bestselling books including Guidelines for Mystical Prayer and Essence of Prayer.

'a genuine attempt to introduce the theory and practice of prayer to the uninitiated, in language that is accessible to all men and women.' Mount Carmel, July 2010 "The book has been written by one who clearly lives every word she writes. As Wendy Beckett says in her Foreword: 'to read Ruth Burrows...is to take into your mind and heart the insight of somebody who is close to God, and has the rare ability to share that closeness with others. God has given her great gifts, and she has opened herself to receive them' (p. vii). In this lies her appeal. Teresa of Avila wrote from her own experience. Ruth Burrows, too, writes from her own experience, albeit different from Teresa's. So she too writes with authority--and it shows! I especially appreciate how in this volume great care has been taken with the use of language, which is inclusive both as regards God and ourselves." -Elizabeth Ruth Obbard, Mount Carmel, July-Sept. 2010 'a valuable contribution to the vast array of books offering advice and encouragement to Christians on the subject of prayer. This book is full of insights...Ruth Burrows...reflections are thought-provoking and described with encouragement and simplicity.' ~ John Mann, Church of Ireland Gazette, February 2007 -- John Mann 'Here is a major contribution from the pen of a well-known writer on spiritual themes...An impressive offfering...different from her earlier works, and well worth a little study.' Elizabeth CSF, Franciscan -- Elizabeth CSF, Franciscan, January 2008 'It is useful as spiritual reading that will help the prayer and Christian lives of men and women living in the world. For that, it can be recommended.' ~ Prebendary John Gaskell, Church Times, 10/11/2006 -- John Gaskell * Church Times * 'Essence of Prayer is a good introduction to the chief labour of Carmel.' * Daily Telegraph, The * "The person who has most clearly written about this area in our own times is Ruth Burrows in books such as Essence of Prayer" -- Christopher Howse * Tablet, The * 'Ruth Burrows, the experienced Carmelite writer: hard-headed, warm-hearted, helpful and positive about God's universal invitation to prayer.'~ The Tablet, 22nd July 2006 -- Christopher Howse * Tablet, The * 'This is a book that should chance lives. Its central message is that everyone can pray....Essence of Pray is a collection of short essays on prayer..Surprisingly, this structure works better than a book hammered out to a continuous shape, because there is a chance to avoid misunderstanding by coming at a subject from a difference angle.' ~ 16/09/2006 -- Christopher Howse * Tablet, The *