Nine Days to Rediscover the Joy of Prayer

by Jacques Philippe

Prayer changes our lives. Through fruitful prayer, God freely graces us with the gifts of joy, peace, courage, and determination. We can often find, however, that, despite our good intentions, prayer doesn't come easily. We often have obstacles in our path-distractions from the outside or our own internal weaknesses-that keep us from praying or being faithful to our Christian commitment to Love. Allow your heart to be guided gently by Fr. Jacques Philippe toward a joyous prayer life that feeds your soul and revitalizes your relationship with the Lord.

Genres: Faith, Spirituality, Prayer

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2019

About the author

Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.

Reviews

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro muy fácil de leer y que ayuda a aprender a rezar.

Algo que no me parece muy fácil, o sea que todo lo que ayude a rezar me parece muy bienvenido.

[Christina Costain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Jacques Philippe gives us the practical and the poignant. This small book leads you through the “how” of getting into a prayer routine by leading you through a daily prayer time.
The scripture and quotes from saints and holy people are such a gift and aid in deepening the prayer time.
This is lectio divina without telling you it’s lectio divina. He walks you through how to do this divine reading as light is shed upon the Scriptures and your heart opens to receive Gods word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to the writings of father Jacques Philippe was Time For God, which I first read 12 years ago. I have reread that book four times now and every time I read it, I get something more out of it. And when he has a new book come out in French, I eagerly await it being available in English. This time it looks like the two editions are publishing at the same time, and this is the second book I have read in the Nine Days Series. Nine Days to Welcome Peace, was an excellent read, and this one was also. I picked it up even before I finished this one, and will be extra diligent about keeping my eyes open for other books in this series. Father Philippe states about this series that:

“The “Nine Days to” collection offers a guided retreat to be lived at home or on vacation, in the subway or on the train, for people who have little time but wish to devote ten minutes a day to spiritual growth.

Each book in the collection offers nine days of inspiring meditations that surround a specific theme for advancement in the spiritual life. Each serves as both a school of prayer and an authentic tool of self-transformation.

Two meditations are offered for each day. One can be experienced in the morning and the other at any opportune moment during the day or evening.

The journey includes reflection exercises, the Word of God, a meditation from a saint or another great spiritual author, and a resolution—all geared to help the participant dive into an authentic spiritual experience.”

When I read this book the first time time I did part in the morning and part at lunch. Returning to it at lunch helped to focus my afternoon in a new way.

The chapters in this volume are:
First Day:
Responding To A Call
Second Day:
Putting God First
Third Day:
Praying Freely
Fourth Day:
Living Heaven On Earth
Fifth Day:
Prayer Makes Me Know God
Sixth Day:
Discovering My Profound Identity
Seventh Day:
Prayer Makes Me Capable Of Loving My Neighbor
Eighth Day:
The More I Pray, The More I Become Free
Ninth Day:
Unifying My Life

And each of the nine days follows this pattern:

Introduction
Invitation To Contemplation
Sign Of The Cross
Prayer To The Holy Spirit
The Word of God
Meditation From Fr. Jacques Philippe
Prayer
Light From A Faithful Witness
The Light Of The Saints

The sections in each day vary slightly from the other volume currently available in the series. The section The Light of the Saints sometimes comprises quotes from more than one source. Each day is preceded by a full color photo and in this volume, they appear to all be photo’s of mosaics. We are not told where the excerpts from Father Phillipe are from, or if they were written specifically for this book, or this series. But in the grand scheme of things that does not matter. In the preface to the other volume it states that these meditations are available as a pamphlet or on CD. So I assume the original French versions come from retreats that Father Philippe has lead. And even if in English we do not have access to the audio, the book itself makes a wonderful 9-day personal retreat. Or it could even be used by a group or family.

This is another wonderful resource for spiritual growth from Father Philippe. And I know I will be reading them all as the series becomes available and will return to them again and again. An excellent little volume. I highly recommend this and also the other Nine Days book that is available.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Philippe.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Carole Cogdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Followed on straight away from the 9 Days for peace. The format was similar to the first book, but this one was more structured around morning prayer and their reflection prayer at the end of the day. This structure doesn't really work for me in my day-to-day work life - but again there was green highlights through out.

[Carlos De La Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good meditations, but could be more in depth.

Jacques is an inspiration to those who have read his material. I have read 5 or 6 of his books and I have found many very profound kernels of truth in them.

[Emmy Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr Jacques Philippe is my favorite spiritual writer. I have ALL of his books and they are all gems!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, inspiring, life-changing. To be read in small doses to let it sink in.

[Chelsea Moga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small book enabled me to get a better sense of the joy that comes from having a daily prayer life.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Solid meditations. But, it could have been so much more.
Personal quirk: mot a fan of Sister Faustina so I could have done without the quotes. There are so many more saints with deeper messages on prayer.
This was not a favorite nd I am a fan if Fr Jacques Philippe.