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Beginner's Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life
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Prayer is an ancient and simple way to prepare yourself for grace, or love, and to learn to recognize it when it comes. Even the briefest "grace" spoken before dinner offers its time-honored wisdom. Yet in spite of hundreds of traditions and teachings and books about prayer, millions of Americans have become ambivalent about it. They are unsure how, when, where, and even w
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Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
November 2nd 2010
by Atria Books
(first published November 2nd 2009)
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Start your review of Beginner's Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life
I started this book on the plane. It wasn't my first choice, but my Kindle had died and I needed something to occupy my time.
It's cliche to say I couldn't put the book down, so I'll say I finished it on my connecting flight. But the book is easy-to-read, down-to-earth, and funny. Makes me regret not reading Marriage and Other Acts of Charity before returning it to the library.
Being raised Catholic, spontaneous prayer doesn't come naturally. I expect some formality to it -- some prescribed ritua ...more
It's cliche to say I couldn't put the book down, so I'll say I finished it on my connecting flight. But the book is easy-to-read, down-to-earth, and funny. Makes me regret not reading Marriage and Other Acts of Charity before returning it to the library.
Being raised Catholic, spontaneous prayer doesn't come naturally. I expect some formality to it -- some prescribed ritua ...more
I love Kate Braestrup. She's so funny, compassionate, open minded and humble. I read this because I loved her two memoirs. I loved reading this book although I don't know what to say about what it means for me as a non-believer and therefore non-prayerful person. She even has a chapter of prayer for athiests substituting "love" for "God". I found Beginner's Grace such a restful and hopeful book. It really spoke to me in a way that I don't quite understand or know what to do with.
Kate Braestrup’s third non-fiction book, Beginner’s Grace follows up her earlier works that detail her experiences as a chaplain to the Maine Warden Service. If you liked her earlier books, then I would bet you will enjoy this one also.
What sets Beginner’s Grace apart from her previous books is its focus on prayer. Organized into broad sections (like “Ask” and Celebrate”) which are broken into chapters (such as “Prayers for the Fearful,” “Prayers in for Help,” and “Speechless Prayers”) the book ...more
What sets Beginner’s Grace apart from her previous books is its focus on prayer. Organized into broad sections (like “Ask” and Celebrate”) which are broken into chapters (such as “Prayers for the Fearful,” “Prayers in for Help,” and “Speechless Prayers”) the book ...more
There are large parts of this book that are up-and-up Christian, and that sat uncomfortably with my own spiritual beliefs. By the end of the book I had absorbed some wonderful ideas about contemplation - whether prayer or meditation or some other form of expressing gratitude toward our existence and changing our perspective on life - but I kept tripping over the intensely Christian examples and scripture. I much preferred Braestrup's earlier two books, which focused on love as the place where di
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This was lovely. This is a TRUE entry level guide to prayer for anyone at any stage of spiritual practice, even those who are not altogether sure there is anyone there to pray to. For the theologically committed, this is a wonderful conversation partner to understanding how your own tradition might intersect with other world religions, or different stages of belief. There were a few chapters or passages that made me say, "That's not the way I see it." But nothing that would have disrupted my fel
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Braestrup's offerings are always accessible, warm, loving, and practical. Recommended especially for those seeking to see how prayer might be part of every day life, and for Unitarian Universalist small group study.
Although the author presents the book as a general approach to prayer, independent of any particular religious belief or faith, the guidance, and many of the specific prayers, she offers is (perhaps, understandably), heavily influenced by her own Protestant faith. Throughout the book, she does, however, incorporate discussion of mindfulness and prayer from many other traditions. She has some very insightful personal reflections to offer regarding a life of prayer. I found this to be a good intro
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In Beginner's Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life, author Kate Braestrup shares stories about parenting, her faith and her experiences, all in terms of prayer. Braestrup is a Unitarian Universalist minister, serving the Maine Wardens and her community. She is a warm woman who practices her care for others. Her stories are humorous and often insouciant, thus creating a light book, rather than a serious tome on praying constantly. She wants us to feel comfortable about praying at meal time, bed time an
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Beginner's Grace invites you to pray even if you never did before and no matter your spiritual orientation. The openness of the author about her former atheistic life is refreshing. Overall, the book goes over various life experiences Kate Braestrup had and thoughts associated with them along with ideas for prayers to get you inspired. Some references to bible scripture also pop up here and there.
I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as her memoir “Here if you Need Me” which I was so taken by and handed off to sever friends in ministry. I appreciated adding this to my group of books I’m reading on prayer in 2020, but found myself less engaged in her theological musing then I was in her personal storytelling.
Wonderful stories of prayer and faith from a Christian UU chaplain, rooted in reality, science, and a very liberal view of the bible. Humorous and human, and very honest. Recommended for liberal Christians, UUs, spiritual atheists and agnostics.
I really loved listening to this book, and hearing the prayers read aloud, with just the right inflection. I need a paper copy of this book. Thank you, Kate Braestrup, for tour ministry and willingness to take your readers on your journey.
Well worth the time
Living prayer, practical prayer, loving prayer for those who pray now and those who want to but are uncertain how. Even just reading this book is prayer. Give it a try.
Living prayer, practical prayer, loving prayer for those who pray now and those who want to but are uncertain how. Even just reading this book is prayer. Give it a try.
Not as easy a read as some of her other books but still thought provoking, funny and tender. I love Kate.
I do so love this author. This book encouraged me to think different about prayer, to be open to change, and to live with a humble spirit that is fully reliant on God who hears my prayers. Loved it.
Think I might like this better reading it slowly myself instead of the audio.
I LOVED Here If You Need Me so I was deeply disappointed not to like this book at all. I read the first two chapters, found them not at all interesting and pretty badly written, and gave up.
Love this author!
Apr 17, 2020
Rosanna
added it
Not my favourite Kate Braestrup, I love the stories she tells in her other books. But I like her voice enough to read it through.
An excellent book on how to pray. I have read several books by Braestrup and enjoyed each one.
Refreshing look at prayer and the different varieties of its use, especially for the times when praying with or for another.
I generally like and admire Kate Braestrup's approach to spirituality, especially her common sense and practicality. I continue to find her Ra! Ra! USA! tone and slight anti-Islam bias mildly irritating and at odds with her otherwise compassionate approach.
If you're looking for something prescriptive, this might not be the book. If you're looking for a general philosophy and discussion as to what it actually does, along with a number of rather good example prayers, this could be your book. I esp ...more
If you're looking for something prescriptive, this might not be the book. If you're looking for a general philosophy and discussion as to what it actually does, along with a number of rather good example prayers, this could be your book. I esp ...more
Library copy 248.32 B73b
Well! I enjoyed her first book more because this one is more about theology than anything, and I cringe to hear her unbelieving view of God. She makes God fit her ideas.
But she is an excellent writer and I like the way she thinks and she brings up some valid points/issues about prayer -- just that she doesn't believe in prayer as Jesus taught and/or the Bible. She doesn't believe God will answer because she doesn't know Him personally.
I learned a lot from reading this boo ...more
Well! I enjoyed her first book more because this one is more about theology than anything, and I cringe to hear her unbelieving view of God. She makes God fit her ideas.
But she is an excellent writer and I like the way she thinks and she brings up some valid points/issues about prayer -- just that she doesn't believe in prayer as Jesus taught and/or the Bible. She doesn't believe God will answer because she doesn't know Him personally.
I learned a lot from reading this boo ...more
This book on bringing prayer into everyday life is written in an engaging, sincere, and entertaining style. I very much enjoyed it. Braestrup is a Unitarian, which explains why I found her approach so accessible. There is no evangelical push here toward a Christian viewpoint though that tradition certainly is the basis of the theology presented by the author. If you are someone who grew up in a Christian context, but have become distanced from it, this book could serve as a beginning of reconnec
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I loved this book. I will probably buy this book to add to my collection. Braestrup is funny, down-to-earth, and not pious at all in this book on prayer. She easily and articulately talks about many subjects ranging from sex to her own failures. I'd love to have her as my minister. After reading this book, the thought entered my mind that I would like to plan a trip just to hear her speak.
Beginner's Grace is Braestrup's view of prayer including many set prayers for the reader to read and use. A ...more
Beginner's Grace is Braestrup's view of prayer including many set prayers for the reader to read and use. A ...more
Considering Kate Braestrup's book Here If You Need Me was one of the best books I've read in recent memory, I should admit upfront this latest book by the author probably had a tough act to follow. In Beginner's Grace, I still very much enjoyed Braestrup's writing and insights on faith (which read much like those from another personal fave, Anne Lamott). But overall, this book didn't sing like her memoir did. Beginner's Grace is more of a good reference to keep on hand, whereas I can't seem to k
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I really enjoyed Braestrups's "Here if you need me" and find her writing style very warm and inclusive. In this book she draws on her background as a mother, a young widow, chaplain in the Maine Warden Service and UU minister and offers up a book about prayer. Prayer in all it's forms and for all possible needs. While focused on her Christian tradition, she includes references to many different faiths. She intersperses them with background information and humorous and touching anecdotes from her
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Kate Braestrup is the chaplain to the Maine Warden Service. Her experience as a Unitarian Universalist minister in that area is unusual in that she is bringing her liberal faith to people of all beliefs--in some cases, people with no beliefs. But there are times when prayer is required. For many people prayer is an everyday part of their lives, for many it is brought out for special occasions. In this book, Kate Braestrup shows how prayer can improve anyone's life. No matter what your beliefs, b
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Kate Braestrup is a chaplain, specifically a Maine game warden chaplain. She is also the mother of four children; they lost her policeman husband in the line of duty. With her second husband, Kate became a stepmother of two additional children. Her life has been varied and busy, and she has had a lot of reasons to simply pray.
Here is a general primer on prayer for both experienced Christians and those seeking somewhere to start. It is not aligned with any denomination. Kate writes with humor, gr ...more
Here is a general primer on prayer for both experienced Christians and those seeking somewhere to start. It is not aligned with any denomination. Kate writes with humor, gr ...more
It wasn't clear to me when I picked this up that it was less a memoir about faith and prayer and more an actual how-to for prayer. As an atheist, I therefore found it less useful and interesting than I'd imagined. That said, it still is an enlightening look into the purpose of prayer, which was useful for someone who doesn't ponder such things often. I particularly found the chapters on prayer and the physical body and prayer in mixed company interesting. However, it did drag in other sections a
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