On Prayer and Contemplation - by Matthew Levering (Paperback)

About the Book

This is a rich, informative, and inspiring compendium of the Christian tradition of prayer and contemplation from the earliest days of the Church to the present day. Included are selections from St. Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, St. Clement of Rome, St. Gregory of Nyssa, ...

Book Synopsis

This is a rich, informative, and inspiring compendium of the Christian tradition of prayer and contemplation from the earliest days of the Church to the present day. Included are selections from St. Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, St. Clement of Rome, St. Gregory of Nyssa, John Cassian, St. Augustine, St. Gregory of Sinai, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, St. Francis de Sales, St. Vincent de Paul, Lancelot Andrewes, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Edith Stein, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Pope John Paul II. Levering has selected readings that capture how Christian saints and spiritual leaders through the ages have understood what prayer is, why we pray, and how we pray. The selections also integrate the Eastern Orthodox and Western understandings of prayer and contemplation. The book is perfect for study, meditation, and inspiration.

Review Quotes

"Matthew Levering has assembled a delightful compendium on prayer, drawing on both the Church's rich liturgical tradition and the timeless wisdom of the saints and holy men and women throughout the ages. Dr. Levering has carefully culled the enclosed selections on prayer, public and private, to reiterate St. Paul's exhortation to 'pray always' (1 Thess 5:17), and to emphasize that God waits expectantly to bestow the grace of intimate union in prayer to all those who seek Him. This wonderful volume will be an invaluable resource for anyone who desires to learn more about prayer by reading the personal reflections of holy and deeply prayerful Christians throughout the centuries, and, most importantly, to personally embark upon the journey towards deeper intimacy in prayer with Christ." --Mary Assumpta Long, Prioress General, Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI, OP, Founding Member and Prioress Emerita of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI

"Sometimes prayer comes easily; sometimes it is hard work. But this collection of writings by masters of prayer from the first century to the twentieth proves that even reading about prayer can be prayerful. Real prayer always involves raising the mind and heart to God. These selections not only describe a variety of helpful methods for contemplation but they also lead by example and invite readers to enter into prayer for themselves." --Joseph W. Koterski, S.J., Chair of the Philosophy Department, Fordham University

"The call to deep, personal, union with God is being strongly communicated by the Spirit in these days. Matthew Levering's book gives us a wonderful resource for accessing the spiritual depths of our tradition that can be of so much help in responding to this call." --Ralph Martin, Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit

Matthew Levering has assembled a delightful compendium on prayer, drawing on both the Church's rich liturgical tradition and the timeless wisdom of the saints and holy men and women throughout the ages. Dr. Levering has carefully culled the enclosed selections on prayer, public and private, to reiterate St. Paul's exhortation to 'pray always' (1 Thess 5:17), and to emphasize that God waits expectantly to bestow the grace of intimate union in prayer to all those who seek Him. This wonderful volume will be an invaluable resource for anyone who desires to learn more about prayer by reading the personal reflections of holy and deeply prayerful Christians throughout the centuries, and, most importantly, to personally embark upon the journey towards deeper intimacy in prayer with Christ.

Sometimes prayer comes easily; sometimes it is hard work. But this collection of writings by masters of prayer from the first century to the twentieth proves that even reading about prayer can be prayerful. Real prayer always involves raising the mind and heart to God. These selections not only describe a variety of helpful methods for contemplation but they also lead by example and invite readers to enter into prayer for themselves.

The call to deep, personal, union with God is being strongly communicated by the Spirit in these days. Matthew Levering's book gives us a wonderful resource for accessing the spiritual depths of our tradition that can be of so much help in responding to this call.

About the Author

Matthew Levering is associate professor of theology at Ave Maria College. He is author of On the Priesthood, On Death and Dying, and On Marriage and Family (Rowman & Littlefield).