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Essential Mystic Prayers
People from all faiths and none at all find in the prayers of the mystical traditions expressions that speak to their deepest needs.
Whether appealing for knowledge, seeking a sense of the love of God, or about asceticism, questions and doubts, or contemplation and action, each of these prayers (from Christian and other religious tradition sources) are vibrantly alive. Rooted in classic sources, each prayer in Essential Mystic Prayers is important, especially now, in the 21st century. This book collects some of the most beautiful of these prayers.
In flame of sunrise bathe my mind, that when I wake, clear-eyed may be my soul’s desire. — Fiona Macleod , Scotland, 19th century
How should the God who made heaven and earth come into me? Is there any room in me for you, my Lord, my God? — St. Augustine , Africa, 5th century
Praise be to Thee, Most Supreme God, Thy Beauty do we worship, to Thee do we give willing surrender. — from Sufi morning prayers
Whether appealing for knowledge, seeking a sense of the love of God, or about asceticism, questions and doubts, or contemplation and action, each of these prayers (from Christian and other religious tradition sources) are vibrantly alive. Rooted in classic sources, each prayer in Essential Mystic Prayers is important, especially now, in the 21st century. This book collects some of the most beautiful of these prayers.
In flame of sunrise bathe my mind, that when I wake, clear-eyed may be my soul’s desire. — Fiona Macleod , Scotland, 19th century
How should the God who made heaven and earth come into me? Is there any room in me for you, my Lord, my God? — St. Augustine , Africa, 5th century
Praise be to Thee, Most Supreme God, Thy Beauty do we worship, to Thee do we give willing surrender. — from Sufi morning prayers
96 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 22, 2019
Great prayer book.
Two criticisms: (1) The book itself is very short. I could've gone on and on with these prayers (2) Many of the prayers are actually snippets of larger works and not necessarily intended by the original author to be a complete prayer. At other times, the entries are only a sentence each. I found myself reading several per sitting in order to form a substantial prayer. This isn't to say that the small pieces themselves are not sufficient for stimulating more complete prayers. In many cases, they are. However, they certainly leave the pray-er wanting more, and you'll frequently find yourself reading through several at a time.
Two criticisms: (1) The book itself is very short. I could've gone on and on with these prayers (2) Many of the prayers are actually snippets of larger works and not necessarily intended by the original author to be a complete prayer. At other times, the entries are only a sentence each. I found myself reading several per sitting in order to form a substantial prayer. This isn't to say that the small pieces themselves are not sufficient for stimulating more complete prayers. In many cases, they are. However, they certainly leave the pray-er wanting more, and you'll frequently find yourself reading through several at a time.
March 6, 2026
A wonderful collection of prayers
First of all, I dislike titles like this. Whenever I see a book with Essential in the title, I roll my eyes. Essential? Really?! How do I get through life without this!?!
I also am enough a book snob that I don't like collections of things, why not just read the mystics in context and engage their work and life more fully?
But I found this collection quite inspiring and each prayer a prompt for reflection and prayer. Underlined a lot and where I somehow managed through life without these, they are good companions on the journey and I have a list of mystics I haven't read yet, that this piqued my interest about
First of all, I dislike titles like this. Whenever I see a book with Essential in the title, I roll my eyes. Essential? Really?! How do I get through life without this!?!
I also am enough a book snob that I don't like collections of things, why not just read the mystics in context and engage their work and life more fully?
But I found this collection quite inspiring and each prayer a prompt for reflection and prayer. Underlined a lot and where I somehow managed through life without these, they are good companions on the journey and I have a list of mystics I haven't read yet, that this piqued my interest about
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews