Books About Prayer

[Kevin42]

After listening to Fr. Dubay’s broadcast on CAL about Spiritual Direction, I have decided that I want to get a book about prayer, and the different kinds/levels of prayer that there are. I know he suggested his own books “Prayer Primer” and “Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer”, and I was wondering if anyone had read these and if so, what they thought about them. Also, if anyone knows of any other good books about prayer besides those two, I’d love to hear about them. Thanks!

 

[RC1960]

Whether you read any number of reviews from Amazon.com, descriptions from catalogues, or read responses to your post here, you just won’t know if you’ll find a book or books useful until you start reading.

Start with the free tracts from Catholic.com. to start putting words to this desire. I, too, had this sense about six months ago and after purchasing about 11 books, I finally found one (the last one, of course) that spoke and reflected the circumstances that led to this journey.

Mostly, exercise patience and prayer.

 

[DonProfondo]

After listening to Fr. Dubay’s broadcast on CAL about Spiritual Direction, I have decided that I want to get a book about prayer, and the different kinds/levels of prayer that there are. I know he suggested his own books “Prayer Primer” and “Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer”, and I was wondering if anyone had read these and if so, what they thought about them. Also, if anyone knows of any other good books about prayer besides those two, I’d love to hear about them. Thanks!

I read the second book not too long ago. I may have the former; as I recall from either looking at it or reading it, it’s pretty basic. (I’m at work right now, so I can’t look at my bookshelf.) I think that “Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer” is a good starting point.

Two of Fr. Dubay’s other books are “Fire Within” and “Seeking Spiritual Direction.” Those are pretty heavy – meaning, you’ll get a lot out of them the first time, but you’ll want to read them again and again.

In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with Fr. Dubay.

 

[fide]

After listening to Fr. Dubay’s broadcast on CAL about Spiritual Direction, I have decided that I want to get a book about prayer, and the different kinds/levels of prayer that there are. I know he suggested his own books “Prayer Primer” and “Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer”, and I was wondering if anyone had read these and if so, what they thought about them. Also, if anyone knows of any other good books about prayer besides those two, I’d love to hear about them. Thanks!

I have read Faith and Certitude by him, and have seen and heard him on EWTN on prayer. I haven’t found his work (so far) as dense with information as I’d like.

Some that I would recommend are:
The Ordinary Path to Holiness - R. Thomas Richard
Spiritual Theology - Jordan Aumann, O.P.
The Three Ways of the Spiritual Life - Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

All three of these present (in different ways) the process of growing in the life of prayer, which I believe to be essential for one seeking to learn about prayer.

Fide

 

[Danw]

I just finished Prayer Primer in the last few days. I do a study of prayer for RCIA and found it helpful. I don’t know where you are in your prayer life but I found it could be quite helpful in developing a prayer life as well as explaining the types of prayer. I will recommend it. I also have Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer but have not read it yet. To put it simply, in the words of St. John Damascene, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God…” Do we need formal lessons in how to pray? No. Just lift your mind and heart to God. But as in all things in life, it is good to learn form the masters, and Fr. Dubay is very good.