I love praying through written prayers. Of course, I have a stable diet of the C of E 'Daily Prayer' plus a few other liturgies, but I mean to refer to collections of just prayers. One of my favourites is by Karl Rahner, Gebete des Lebens. Barth's Gebete is another.
Can you recommend me any others? I would love to expand my library in this direction.
posted by Chris Tilling @ 10:24 PM
12 comments
I am New Testament Tutor for St Mellitus College and St Paul's Theological Centre, London. In my postgraduate research (under the supervision of Max Turner) I’m working on a thesis that concerns the christological significance of the language Paul used to describe the relationship between risen Lord and believer. My blog, Chrisendom, is primarily occupied with biblical and theological themes – especially those Apostle Paul shaped, but I try as best as I can to squeeze in a decent amount of inappropriate baloney on the way. For more about me, click here for my interview with biblioblogs' Jim West.
12 Comments:
I have used the Oxford Book of Prayers extensively for Compline - some astonishing ones in that book. I note that following each psalm in the 5 volume commentary by Neale and Littledale (1876 edition I think) there are collects from the fathers forward related to the psalm content - some quite good.
Chris,
probably very different than what you're used to and a bit unorthodox but very, very honest (and my favorite written prayer book ever!!!!!): Prayers Plainly Spoken by Stanley Hauerwas. If you get it, please let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
The Valley of Vision is a truly remarkable collection of Puritan prayers; though I imagine one's theology will greatly determine whether one finds it useful. The prayers are very Reformed, with lots of self-deprication followed by exultation and awe at the sacrifice of Christ. This is a characteristic example:
Prayers and tears could not suffice to pardon my sins,
nor anything less than atoning blood,
but my believing is my receiving,
for a thankful acceptance is no paying of the debt.
What didst thou see in me?
That I a poor, diseased, despised sinner
should be clothed in thy bright glory?
That a creeping worm
should be advanced to this high state?
That one lately groaning, weeping, dying,
should be as full of joy as my heart can hold?
That a being of dust and darkness
should be taken like Mordecai from captivity,
and set next to the King?
Should be lifted like Daniel from a den
and be made ruler of princes and provinces?
Who can fathom immeasurable love?
As far as the rational soul exceeds the senses,
so does the spirit exceed the rational in its knowledge of thee,
Thou hast given me understanding to compass the earth,
measure the sun, moon, stars, universe,
but above all to know thee, the only true God,
I marvel that the finite can know the Infinite,
here a little, afterwards in full-orbed truth;
Now I know but a small portion of what I shall know,
here in part, there in perfection,
here a glimpse, there a glory.
To enjoy thee is life eternal, and to enjoy is to know,
Keep me in the freedom of experiencing thy salvation continually. ("Freedom," p. 56)
I love Jüngel's trinitarian prayers.
The Prayers of St. Anselm are beautiful.
I also enjoy a book called Lesser Feasts and Fasts from the Episcopalian church.
I like it old school though. Just like my worship music.
Brueggemann and Hauerwas have both published nice collections of prayers.
Do you know the collection "My God My Glory" by Eric Milner White, who was Dean of York last century.
Even when it is no book of written prayers I like the "Gebet für die Welt" or "Operation World" as a guide for prayers from Patrick Johnstone.
It gives Knowledge and background for specific prayers.
Anything from the Iona Community - try the Wee Worship Book for starters. I regularly use their communion service in church.
If you want a different style again, try some of the Celtic stuff from the Northumbria Community - their Celtic Daily Prayer is a big resource, with all sorts of stuff in it. It has quite a different feel to most of the mainstream stuff. Worth a try.
I loved those Trinitarian prayers Byron. Just what I need to read, pray and do at the moment. Be absorbed into the Trinity
Beautiful!
This is all just what I was asking for. Thank you thank you thank you all. Brilliant. Now I'm really excited.
Craig - yeah, a friend put me on to them a while ago. We've been using some of them at church too (and one of our catechists has the Brueggemann collection, which he likes to dip into occasionally as well).
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