Hungry for God: Practical Help in Personal Prayer

by Ralph Martin

God is everywhere, always, and we can communicate with Him, everywhere, always.—From Chapter Five

Is prayer possible? Does it make any difference? Does God hear and answer? How do we pray? Why?

In this classic work on the spiritual life, Ralph Martin gives readers the tools for entering more fully into a fruitful relationship with God. Prayer is a gift, not a burden. Through it the Holy Spirit draws us into the Trinity, satisfying the hunger for God that lies within every human heart.

"Ralph Martin has been charting the landscape of Catholic renewal for more than two decades. This is a wonderfully readable and enriching, addition to Ralph's reflections on what it means to live as a Christian in a complicated world."—Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver

Genres: Catholic, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Ralph Martin has been a leader in renewal movements in the Catholic Church for many years. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he did graduate work in philosophy at Princeton University and holds an MA in Theology from Sacred Heart School of Theology in the Archdiocese of Detroit, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (the “Angelicum”) in Rome. He worked for a number of years for the National Office of the Cursillo Movement and subsequently became a leader in the national and international development of the charismatic renewal movement in the Catholic Church. He was the founding editor of New Covenant Magazine, as well as the founding director of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office, currently located in Rome.

Currently, Ralph is president of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization (www.renewalministries.net). Ralph is also the host of “The Choices We Face” a widely viewed weekly Catholic television and radio program distributed throughout the world. Renewal Ministries is accountable in its work to a Board of Directors in the United States, which Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis, serves as Episcopal Advisor, and to a Board in Canada that Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, serves as Episcopal Advisor. Renewal Ministries is also actively involved in assisting the Church in more than 30 different countries through leadership training, evangelistic conferences and retreats, and the publication and distribution of Catholic resources.

Ralph is also an associate professor and Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit (www.shms.edu) and a Visiting Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He was named by Pope Benedict XVI as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization and was also appointed as a “peritus” to the Synod on the New Evangelization in October of 2012.

He and his wife Anne have six children and 14 grandchildren and reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Ralph shared his life as a Charismatic member of Roman Catholic church. It is a fascinating read as I never thought that there is any form of renewal or Pentecostal experiences in the Roman Catholic church. It is also another proof that once you give your life to Jesus and duly anointed with the Holy Spirit no institutional doctrinal bounds will prevent you from sharing the same faith and experiences with others who have gone through same process of coming to the Lord.

[Robert L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guidebook to introduce union with God

I feel mylife moving in this direction. Ralph Martin,my new mentor gently takes me, a beginner on the spiritual journey by the hand and with his experiences and simple language took me to another guidepost on my journey. amen. come Jesus come!

[Mike Harnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to select books from the vestibule of my church that I haven't read yet, that appear to be a help in my life and my continuing to get closer to God. This was one of such books and it was very informative. I have some doubts that were corrected by the words of Ralph Martin and has helped to become a better person, Christian, and every other aspect of my life.

[Megs Always Write · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely introduction to personal prayer with illuminated passages of praise and wisdom.

[Irish Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was refreshing to read something from an author who understands the role of the Holy Spirit in the Roman Catholic Church. Although this was written in 2007 he mentions the problem of Catholics fixated on the liturgy or the Eucharist, when even Pope John Paul II noted that the role of the Holy Spirit, and evangelization, are important in the life of the Church.

As for practical help with my prayer life, it does give some straightforward suggestions, but they are all ideas I've tried or heard before, so it didn't inspire me that way as much as I hoped. But the book worked very well in getting me in a meditative spirit with God and thinking more about God during my day, so it worked for me.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some really great and practical tips for getting closer to God. The chapter on the Holy Spirit was my favorite. Mr. Martin gives 8 "obstacles" that can hold people back from receiving the Spirit. After all, if this is a gift that God so wants to give his people (see Luke 11:9, 13), how come it is so rare to hear about? Not doubt the obstacles Mr. Martin mentions should be explored. The chapter on prayer was great as well. Again, lots of practical examples and tips on how to improve your prayer life and get closer to God.

[Paul Uwemedimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I gave very many years ago to my mother and it had a huge impact on her life. I also found it very good.

[Nathan Vani · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid read ! got it as a free gift at a Catholic Men's Conference - the author uses very easy language making the book overall flow very nicely. Recommend as a devotional read :)