Power of Prayer around the World, The
Details and Description
Description
Universally, the power of prayer has been recognized by many cultures for immeasurable time. Whether it be a part of a formal service recited with a congregation of worshipers or an individual, quiet moment, prayer is part of the lives of people from a variety of religions.
There seems to be an innate urge among humanity to connect with a higher source of energy and love when we need guidance or direction, and this is called prayer. By reading the prayers from religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, from cultures in Africa, India, Egypt, and China, we begin to share the sense of a common experience.
The deepest inner feelings and longings are similar—concern for family, assistance in healing, a longing for peace, or a wish for greater wisdom. For some people, prayer can be thought of as a way to ask for specific goals or special favors. This type of prayer may or may not be effective. Another type of prayer exists when all selfish desire is put aside and we feel ourselves in communion with God. At this point, our greatest wish is that God's will be done.
There may be pressing concerns that make us turn our sights upward, but we learn to let go of the end result. At this point, prayer becomes a way of opening up to the universal, loving, creative energy that exists and is far greater than any person could imagine. This is the source of miracles, of faith and unconditional love. Prayer then becomes more than a means to an end; it becomes a state of humility and of awe. It can exist whether we are washing the floor or composing a symphony. Prayer is communion with the Divine, a universal loving creative force that exists in a variety of ways for people around the world.
This book brings together an inspirational collection of prayer suitable for all ages and traditions. In addition, it offers insight and guidance about the nature of prayer that will be useful for the serious seeker.
Table of Contents
Preface / vii
Introduction / 3
Prayer, Meditation, and Affirmation / 11
The Use of Prayer in Various Religions / 33
Learning to Pray / 61
Research on Prayer / 77
Conclusion / 83
Bibliography / 91
Acknowledgments / 93
Endorsements and Reviews
Reviews
Booklist
Those who have neglected the art of prayer will probably appreciate its support and encouragement.
Journal Star—Lincoln, NE
Authors Glenn Mosley and Joanna Hill offer an inspirational collection of prayers, interspersed with thought-provoking discussions on the nature of prayer.
NAPRA Review—Eastsound, WA
The Power of Prayer Around The World is a beautifully produced small-format hardcover that examines the similarities in motivation across religious lines that characterize the use of prayer. Reading this book, one gets the impression that the tradition you come from matters less than the ache of your longing and the sincerity of your need.
Reader-in-Residence—Boca Raton, FL
The Power of Prayer Around The World by Glenn Mosley and Joanna Hill is a small gem of a book filled with the universality of prayer that should be required reading for children of all ages. Educators must ardently strive o make it a required part of their curriculum.
Bryn Athyn Post
[A] new little gem of a book, The Power of Prayer Around the World, may well open our eyes and our lips, as well as our hearts. Easily read from cover to cover, this book deserves to be kept handy for whatever moment prompts our need to seek help from above.
Catholic Library World - Haverford, PA
This small book contains a vast array of wisdom on prayer. There are quotes from Mother Teresa and Augustine as well as from Muhammed and Guru Nanak. The authors have accomplished a compact, easy-reading book that touches upon the understanding of prayer and prayer in other religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The book also mentions the Baha’i faith as well as the Sikh faith traditions of prayer.
The authors belong to the Unity Church and Swedenborgian understanding and they speak about their tradition of prayer, but they stress that their gial is to show what all religions have in common. Mosley and Hill write about prayer, meditation and affirmation or giving thanks. They write about the use of prayer in various religions. There is a chapter on learning to pray and research on the effectiveness of prayer on one’s health.
Overall, it is a concise introduction on the ways of praying with pertinent quote on prayer and prayers as well. It touches upon the main world religious traditions of prayer and gives the readers insight into how to use various methods of communication with God, which is the essence of prayer.
Translations
Asian-English
Croatian
Spanish (LA)