The Book of Not So Common Prayer by Linda McCullough Moore

I was really impressed with this book. Moore's book is not a “how to pray" book so much as it is a challenge for us to pray regularly – four times a day. She arrived at the four times after hearing about Brother Lawrence praying eight times a day. She thought half of what he did would be a good start.

She is very honest in her growing the the practice of praying this way. She developed her habit in fits and starts, sometimes quitting altogether. She started with fifteen minutes of prayer four times a day. She thought it might be really difficult but “prayer is what we are made for.”

Moore explains her various methods of prayer. Sometimes she prayed prayers from saints through the ages. Sometimes she prayed Scripture. Sometimes she would sing hymns. She used various body postures and different locations. She explains how taking tiny steps in self-discipline served her well. She gives several suggestions for ways to pray and helps us understand how to hear from God and distinguish His ideas from our own.

I found her section on memorizing Scripture to be especially enlightening. I also liked her reasons for writing out our prayers. I was challenged by her writing about functional theology.

You will be convinced of the importance of prayer and challenged to make it a priority. You will see that we are meant to be abiding, working, and resting in our Savior, with every thought and impulse trained on Him.

This book is a challenge and I highly recommend it.

Food for thought: “Prayer is, most simply put, being consciously in the presence of God.” 

“For saints, prayer comes first. It just does.” 

“We must make God our habit, till he becomes our dwelling place. God is not someone we visit.”

Linda McCullough Moore is a prolific author of fiction, essays, poetry, memoir and short stories. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she teaches weekly creative writing workshops and mentors aspiring writers. Find out more about her and her work at http://www.lindamcculloughmoore.com/home.htm.

Abingdon Press, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.