In Constant Prayer
By Robert Benson
This book is to the Christian’s prayer life what gasoline is to fire. In humble yet inspiring terms, Robert Benson carefully crafts a vision of perpetual communication with God among the Christian community. Benson outlines the history of repetitive prayers from such sources as the Common Book of Prayer, The Daily Office Book and others. Once a time-honored tradition, the saying of daily prayers is now so uncommon that it is virtually unknown.
He estimates it takes a little over ten minutes to read and say morning prayers. That amount of prayer should not be too much to ask of any believer, he insists. Yet Benson describes his own prayer life in frank and conversational admissions of an own ongoing experience of both awe and failure before God. Though Catholic readers may not feel he has covered the subject exactly in their tradition, Protestants may feel he goes to far in urging a proscribed liturgy.
He estimates it takes a little over ten minutes to read and say morning prayers. That amount of prayer should not be too much to ask of any believer, he insists. Yet Benson describes his own prayer life in frank and conversational admissions of an own ongoing experience of both awe and failure before God. Though Catholic readers may not feel he has covered the subject exactly in their tradition, Protestants may feel he goes to far in urging a proscribed liturgy.
Personally, I found the balance refreshing. After spending years as a Protestant making up my own prayers, I see the value of falling back on the wisdom of the ancients. Instead of being a dull book on the obligation of prayer, which I must admit I half expected, I found it ignited my passion to pray. I plan on sharing this around to get feedback from my friends and family, and then re-reading it again soon.
I have received a complimentary copy of In Constant Prayer from the publisher in return for my honest opinion of the book.
