The Lord's Prayer: Prayer from the Heart

by Jeff Smith

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0930285158
• ISBN13: 9780930285159
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: Word Among Us Press
• Length: 48 Pages

Customer Reviews

A little prayer time...

This is a very short book about a very short prayer - however, the power contained in that prayer far exceeds its size. This book takes a look, in word and picture, the lines of the Lord's prayer in a meditative way. The author, Jeffrey Smith, draws upon resources throughout the history of the church (passages from sermons by St. Augustine, gospel and epistle passages, official catechism documents, and even Jewish Kaddish pieces to show the roots of Jesus' own prayer style). Smith looks at the Lord's prayer line by line, but not in a mechanical or forced pattern. Each line is developed, but as other relevant issues arise, they are incorporated into the structure - for example, after looking at the opening lines about God (Our Father, who art in heaven...) Smith talks about the innocence of children and how we can be likened to them. The first several pages present historical background, experience and spiritual placement of the prayer in scripture and in everyday practice. Smith writes of the prayer's power to renew and transform, using the example of Job, whose life was not transformed until coming into the presence of God - prayer brings us into the presence of God.Smith concludes this small book with a three-page outline of prayer practices - prayer time should be consistent and free from distraction; prayer should praise God, ask qeustions, and open our hearts. Smith directs the pray-er to write things down concluding prayer time, to enable the remembering of what God has said and shown, and as a reminder of what was prayed for. The model of the Lord's prayer is a good one, but has much more richness than our normal rote recitations might imply.In the space of 48 small pages, Smith unlocks a great treasure. This is a book that fits easily into the pocket to be used for inspiration again and again.