Prayers from a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions celebrate the profound variety of ways men around the world have called out to the Divine—with words of joy, praise, gratitude, wonder, petition and even anger—from the ancient world up to our own day.
Created by the Editors at SkyLight Paths
With Introductions by Brian D. McLaren
Hardcover
5 x 7¼, 192 pp | 978-1-59473-395-6
A celebration of men's voices in prayer—through the ages from many faiths, cultures and traditions.
“If men like us don't pray, where will emerging generations get a window into the soul of a good man, an image of the kind of man they can aspire to be—or be with—when they grow up? If men don't pray, who will model for them the practices of soul care—of gratitude, confession, compassion, humility, petition, repentance, grief, faith, hope and love? If men don't pray, what will men become, and what will become of our world and our future?”
—from the Introduction by Brian D. McLaren
This collection celebrates the profound variety of ways men around the world have called out to the Divine—with words of joy, praise, gratitude, wonder, petition and even anger—from the ancient world up to our own day.
The prayers come from a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions—both East and West—including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and more. Together they provide an eloquent expression of men's inner lives, and of the practical, mysterious, painful and joyous endeavor that prayer is. Men Pray will challenge your preconceived ideas about prayer. It will inspire you to explore new ways of prayerful expression and new possibilities for your own spiritual journey. This is a book to treasure and to share.
Includes prayers from: Marcus Aurelius • Daniel Berrigan • Rebbe Nachman of Breslov • Walter Brueggemann • Bernard of Clairvaux • St. Francis of Assisi • Robert Frost • George Herbert • Gerard Manley Hopkins • St. Ignatius Loyola • Fr. Thomas Keating • Thomas Kempis • Chief Yellow Lark • Brother Lawrence • C. S. Lewis • Ted Loder • Nelson Mandela • General Douglas MacArthur • Thomas Merton • D. L. Moody • John Henry Newman • John Philip Newell • John O'Donohue • Rumi • Rabindranath • Tagore • Walt Whitman • many others
“[A] powerful spiritual resource for men of all ages and stages.... I expect to wear this book out from constant use, and I am sure you will too.”
—Rev. Peter Wallace, host of the Day1 radio program; author, The Passionate Jesus: What We Can Learn from Jesus about Love, Fear, Grief, Joy and Living Authentically
“Much, much more than a simple collection of favorite prayers.... Will surprise, comfort, challenge and inspire the man (or woman) who dips into them.... Successfully convey[s] that prayer really is for men, all kinds of men.... A great gift.”
—Catholic Library World
“Inspired. A treasury that masterfully guides us to bring all of our relationships before God—our families, our life work, our griefs, our joys.... [Will] help us pray our deepest desires.”
—Dwight H. Judy, PhD, professor emeritus of spiritual formation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL; author, Discerning Life Transitions: Listening Together in Spiritual Direction
“Warm and hospitable.... A helpful resource for guiding men of diverse faiths into a prayerful life. A wonderful gift for ... sons, nephews or other male friends in your life. Also ... a wonderful conversation starter about prayer in a men’s group in your faith community or neighborhood.”
—GoodMenProject.com
“There is something missing in the lives of many men who think of themselves as religious, and that thing is prayer. Oh man, use this wondrous, rich collection to give prayer a re-birth in your life.”
—Mitch Finley, author, For Men Only: Strategies for Living Catholic
“Provide[s] sustenance for the hunger in men’s hearts ... [and] guidance for men who are seeking deeper spiritual lives.... Restorative.”
—Presbyterian Outlook
“Anyone who spends time with this collection of prayers will find his own experience of prayer enriched and deepened.”
—Martin B. Copenhaver, senior pastor, Wellesley Congregational Church (UCC); co-author, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers
Introduction xi
Faith 1
Courage 35
Healing 59
Strength 89
Hope 115
Acknowledgments 152
About the Contributors 153
Credits 159
Index of First Lines 164
