Prayer: A Guide for the Perplexed

Guides for the Perplexed

by Ashley Cocksworth

Central to the Christian life is the practice of prayer. But what, theologically speaking, is going on when we pray? What does prayer have to do with religious belief and action? Does prayer make a difference? Prayer: A Guide for the Perplexed addresses these and other key questions regarding the Christian theology of prayer.

Beginning with Evagrius of Ponticus's 'On Prayer', Ashley Cocksworth finds in this early document a profound expression of the 'integrity' of the experience of prayer and theological thought. Seeking throughout to integrate systematic theology and the spirituality of prayer, individual chapters explore the meaning of some of the core doctrines of lived Christian faith - the Trinity, creation, providence, and the Christian life - as they relate to the practice of prayer. Complete with an annotated bibliography of sources on prayer to promote further reading, this volume appeals to academics and general readers alike.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published July 12, 2018

Reviews

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written, and very important, book that seeks to expand prayer from the usual "popular spiritual writing" category that it finds itself in, and likewise seeks to ground doctrinal thought in Christian spiritual practice. I'm sure there are other books out there that have done something similar but this is the first that I have read. Cocksworth does both "deep dives" - into the writings of Evagrius of Ponticus and Thomas Aquinas, for instance, but also clearly signposts where this has relevance to Christian understanding and practice. By concluding his book with political prayer and the importance of body posture in our understanding of what prayer seeks to do, he ensures that we are not simply left as brains on sticks, as he characterises a particular Protestant understanding.

I found the chapters on prayer and the Trinity and prayer and Christology particularly enlightening - especially his engagement with Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth. This is fine addition to what is mostly an excellent series.

[Trey Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sustained reflection on the inseparability of prayer and theology that is at once forensically argued, deeply contemplative, and artistically improvisational. Definitely not a beginner's manual or how-to book on prayer, but full of perceptive guidance and doctrinal surgery on a doxological journey from Evagrius to Aquinas, to Barth, Coakley, Tanner, Sölle, Isasi-Díaz, and more.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful, properly theological book about prayer. Distinctly more practical than you might expect - particularly regarding the place of the body of the individual in prayer.

An excellent corrective to some essentially atheistic theological work!

[Devin Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Cocksworth gives a great introduction to the study and practice of prayer. He works through Evagrius, a history of the slow disintegration of prayer and theology, interacts with tough questions by pulling in Aquinas and Barth, and a lot more.