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Lord, Have Mercy: Praying for Justice With Conviction and Humility
Praise for Lord, Have Mercy
"Once in a while, I find a book about prayer that does something fresh. Claire E. Wolfteich provokes us to rethink the very nature of prayer and how it reshapes us as she discusses six examples of modern Christians confronting the complexities of social engagement and how to make responsible choices in favor of justice and human reconciliation."
--Philip Sheldrake, professor, department of theology and religion, University of Durham; author, Spaces for the Sacred
"Wolfteich provides carefully researched case studies from suburban Miami to the turmoil of apartheid South Africa, analyzing the relation of prayer to various human purposes. She guides the reader through the ambiguities of each case, giving no easy answers, teaching by asking questions. But on another, more personal level, the book is an ongoing conversation with the author. Her voice comes through again and again--quiet, intelligent, unpretentious--exposing her own vulnerabilities. We have here a book that is both instructive and moving--a rare thing."
--Peter L. Berger, director, Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs, Boston University
"For Wolfteich, Christian spirituality is 'prayerful engagement--humble, not presumptuous; prophetic, not passive; yet always contemplative in the best sense.' This is the best guide I know for helping Christians understand how prayer, in its many forms, is indispensable to social action."
--Kathleen A. Cahalan, associate professor, practical theology, Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary
"Once in a while, I find a book about prayer that does something fresh. Claire E. Wolfteich provokes us to rethink the very nature of prayer and how it reshapes us as she discusses six examples of modern Christians confronting the complexities of social engagement and how to make responsible choices in favor of justice and human reconciliation."
--Philip Sheldrake, professor, department of theology and religion, University of Durham; author, Spaces for the Sacred
"Wolfteich provides carefully researched case studies from suburban Miami to the turmoil of apartheid South Africa, analyzing the relation of prayer to various human purposes. She guides the reader through the ambiguities of each case, giving no easy answers, teaching by asking questions. But on another, more personal level, the book is an ongoing conversation with the author. Her voice comes through again and again--quiet, intelligent, unpretentious--exposing her own vulnerabilities. We have here a book that is both instructive and moving--a rare thing."
--Peter L. Berger, director, Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs, Boston University
"For Wolfteich, Christian spirituality is 'prayerful engagement--humble, not presumptuous; prophetic, not passive; yet always contemplative in the best sense.' This is the best guide I know for helping Christians understand how prayer, in its many forms, is indispensable to social action."
--Kathleen A. Cahalan, associate professor, practical theology, Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2006
About the author
Claire E. Wolfteich
8 booksClaire Wolfteich is Professor of Practical Theology and Spirituality Studies at Boston University School of Theology. Her teaching and research interests include Christian spirituality; religion and public life; theology and practice; theologies of vocation, work, and family; lay spirituality; spiritual autobiographies; and American Catholicism. She co-directs the Center for Practical Theology and is Project Director of the Creative Callings research grant project and innovation hub, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Dr. Wolfteich is a past President of the International Academy of Practical Theology and of the Association of Practical Theology. She also is a past President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.
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January 13, 2019
A readable, introductory book on prayer and social justice. The thesis of the book took an angle that I had not expected: how do we pray publicly when our prayers can so quickly become political? And if they become political, what does it mean when Christians are praying in favor of the Pro-Life movement or against a corrupt government like during the apartheid era in South Africa? Was Cesar Chavez' fast for workers' rights, truly a "fast" or a "hunger strike"?
On one hand, I truly appreciate these questions. I come from a tradition that barely acknowledges the role of social justice in a life of faith at all, so it is helpful to reflect on Christians' experiences who are further down the road, so to speak, and have come up against the questions.
On the other hand, I was hoping that the book was going to address more of the positive reasons why prayer and action belong together -- I wasn't quite ready to think of the challenges, when again, my tradition barely recognizes the need for prayer and prophetic action.
Dr. Wolfteich did a lovely job of writing with nuance and detail, even when it was frustrating not to have a clear answer.
On one hand, I truly appreciate these questions. I come from a tradition that barely acknowledges the role of social justice in a life of faith at all, so it is helpful to reflect on Christians' experiences who are further down the road, so to speak, and have come up against the questions.
On the other hand, I was hoping that the book was going to address more of the positive reasons why prayer and action belong together -- I wasn't quite ready to think of the challenges, when again, my tradition barely recognizes the need for prayer and prophetic action.
Dr. Wolfteich did a lovely job of writing with nuance and detail, even when it was frustrating not to have a clear answer.
Displaying 1 of 1 review