Seven Prayers from the Great Tradition: Praying with the Saints of the 4th and 5th Centuries (Ancient Christian Insights Series)

Seven Prayers from the Great Tradition: Praying with the Saints of the 4th and 5th Centuries (Ancient Christian Insights Series)

All Christians affirm the central importance of prayer in the spiritual life. Most, however, readily admit that they would like to grow in their ability to pray well.The ancient Church has time-tested wisdom to help us advance in the life of prayer.This wisdom--often referred to as the Church’s “school of prayer”--is summarized in the opening chapter of the book and serves as the starting point for understanding that the prayers of the saints can teach us how to pray. The heart of the book focuses on seven prayers associated with seven different saints from the 4th and 5th centuries. Each chapter gives a short biography of a saint; shares an excerpt from their writings or life which helps to illumine the content of their prayer; discusses the central Scriptural ideas found in their prayer; and suggests ways in which each prayer helps us in our ongoing dialogue with God. This is your invitation to learn how prayers from seven saints—Ephrem the Syrian, Martin of Tours, Ambrose of Milan, Mary of Egypt, Jerome of Stridon, Augustine of Hippo, and Patrick of Ireland—can enrich your communication with God.