Recommended reading

Essence of Prayer
by Ruth Burrows OCD.

This book has been reprinted three times in the last 24 months. The reason for its being in such high demand, apart from being well-written is its central premise. So many books in the spiritual life assume prayer is something we undertake and do better or worse, and that approaching God is a matter of running faster. This almost certainly leads to discouragement. Ruth Burrows, on the other hand, starts with the sounder principle that prayer is what God is doing, how He addresses and looks at us, with a view to giving himself to us. Reassurance in the spiritual life does not come from 'success in prayer' but from handing ourselves over to God's love, and so find ourselves living no longer for ourselves, but for Him. (Pb, 210pp)
Price: £10.99 / €13.99

Job and the Mystery of Suffering
Spiritual Reflections by Richard Rohr.

Perhaps there are many who have experienced real difficulties in their lives who have reached for the Book of Job for some kind of insight or comfort, only to find the text rather unapproachable and opaque. Richard Rohr has done an excellent job of opening up that ancient text so that we can see ourselves reflected there, and understand our darkest experiences as part of the discovery by descent that Jesus offers us, that Jesus himself underwent. This is a book full of remarkable insights, encouragement and wisdom. (Pb, 187pp)
Price: £10.50 / €13.37

The Return of the Prodigal Son
"A Story of Homecoming" by Henri Nouwen.

This is a profound meditation, full of insight and hope, provoked by an encounter of Rembrandt's painting of the same name as this book. Nouwen approaches this powerful parable in four movements: the younger son's return, the father's restoration of sonship, the vengefulness of the elder son and the father's compassion. It has something powerful to say to anyone who wrestles with feelings of loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger. (Pb, 139pp)
Price: £9.95 / €12.67

When the Well Runs Dry
Prayer Beyond the Beginnings by Thomas H Green, SJ

"There comes a time," Jesuit spiritual director and author Thomas Green says, "when people deeply committed to prayer 'hit a wall'." Stunned and discouraged, they find God distant and detached. Fr Green analyzes the nature of prayer, what blocks it, what supports it, and what will renew it, by presenting counsel from classic spiritual Christian teachers such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross - and his own long and fruitful ministry as teacher and spiritual director. Comparing the watering of a garden to the renewal of a dry spiritual life, Green escorts those experiencing difficulty with prayer back to the knowing and inspired counsel of these classic Christian writers.

This is probably the most inspiring and encouraging book for those baffled by aridity in their spiritual life. (Pb, 215pp)
Price: £8.99 / €11.44

Guidelines for Mystical Prayer
by Ruth Burrows OCD.

First printed in 1976, this book has established itself as a classic of spirituality. The author has a gift for expressing difficult things clearly and in a encouraging way. It is rooted in the Carmelite tradition (which includes Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross), but translates the terms and notions of that tradition into the words, ideas and categories we are used to today. This is a perfect introduction to mystical prayer. (Pb, 149pp)
Price: £9.99 / €12.72

In the Light of Christ
by Lucy Beckett (better known to many as Lucy Warrack).

This important book brings together the author's considerable exploration and evaluation of theology, history, literature and Christian culture. It is a resounding reassertion of the value and truth of the Christian basis of so much of our philosophy, ethics, law and art.
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Price: £15.50 / €19.73

Saint Benedict's Rule
This hardback edition of Abbot Patrick Barry's translation of the Rule includes a wonderful 40 page introduction by him which brings alive the appeal and importance of this ancient text, which so many men and women live by still.
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Price: £11.50 / €14.64

Son of Man
by Fr Alexander Men

This was initially published as excerpts in the journal of the Mosco Patriarchate from 1959-62. It is an introduction to the life of Christ, emphasising the milieu in which he lived, and the humility and self-emptying of the Son of Man. In this he reveals a touching closeness to his Saviour as a friend and brother.
For our reader's recommendation, click here.
Price: £9.99 / €12.72

God, Christ & Us
This is a collection of Herbert McCabe's previously unpublished sermons and spiritual addresses. Never platitudinous or short of ideas, they are filled with questions, arguments, and solid intellectual content. A presiding theme in this book is that we are saved because of the life of Someone fully human.
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Price: £10.99 / €13.99

Seven Last Words
by Timothy Radcliffe OP. The seven words from the Cross have been the focus of Christian meditation through the ages. Each meditation here is illustrated with a picture of Christ on the Cross, nearly all modern, personal gifts to the author, and so part of his life. Whatever he writes is a breath of fresh air. Sorry,
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Price: £7.99 / €10.17

The Dawkins Delusion
Atheist fundamentalism and the denial of the divine - by Alister McGrath.

This book is essential reading for anyone who has felt challenged by Dawkins' book, 'The God Delusion'.

In that book Dawkins wrote, 'If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down.'

But Alister McGrath is ideally placed to evaluate Dawkins' ideas. Once an atheist himself, he gained a doctorate in molecular biophysics before going on to become a leading Christian theologian. He wonders how two people, who have reflected at length on substantially the same world, could possibly have come to such different conclusions about God. McGrath subjects Dawkins' arguments, and his method of argument, to rigorous scrutiny.

This book will be warmly received by those looking for a reliable assessment of 'The God Delusion', seen by many as the last kick of a discredited secular atheism.
Price: £7.99 / €10.17

The Incarnate God
by John V Taylor. This is a collection of some of the hitherto unpublished writings of the former Bishop of Winchester who died in 2001. Perhaps his real strength as a theologian was in his engagement with the social realities, in seeing God in and through the 'little people', the poor, those trying to do a good job against all odds in a harsh world. It was for them that God became incarnate, and lived and died and lives again among them.
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The Dignity of Difference
by Jonathan Sacks, subtitled, 'How to avoid the clash of civilizations'. Rabbi Sacks outlines a set of theses aimed at defning nothing less than a bassis for religiously sensitive civilization, doing so with all the clarity his writings invariably show.
For our recommendation, click here.
Price: £7.99 / €10.17

Learning to Fall
by Philip Simmons, subtitlewd "The Rewards of an Imperfect Life. The author was 35 years old in 1993 when he learned he had motor neurone disease, uusally fatal within two to five years. With two young children and at the start of a promising academic and literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art of dying. Simmons tells the story of his spiritual journey with wisdom and humour, finding answers to life's deepest questions in everything from turtle behaviour to Buddhist philosophy to keats' poetry to the mating practices of toads. He shows us how, against all odds, to live lives of depth, compassion and courage.
For our recommendation, click here.
Price: £7.99 / €10.17

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