Living Prayer

by Robert Benson

Living Prayer is the story of Robert Benson's quest across ecumenical and denominational lines in search of windows into the mystery of prayer. Weaving a narrative about his experiences while seeking a prayerful life, he demonstrates how prayer can enter the fabric of one's existence so that life itself becomes prayer. In the manner of Madeleine L'Engle and Kathleen Norris, Benson makes the ordinary events of life seem mystical and the mystical seem ordinary. He illustrates the full power of prayer, illuminates the reasons we are drawn to pray, and bears witness to the grace of leading a life attuned to the voice of God.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality, Christian, Theology, Religion, Faith, Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Robert Benson has written more than a dozen books about discovering the Holy in the midst of our everyday lives. He is a lifelong churchman, a graduate of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, a member of the Friends of Silence and of the Poor, and has been named a Living Spiritual Teacher by Spirituality and Practice. Benson lives and writes, pays attention and offers prayers at his home in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Evan Graham]

One of the best books I’ve ever read on prayer and spiritual disciplines. The prose is elegant, the stories are candid, and the content is far-reaching. Worth many reads over.

[Bailey Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We seek, one might say, a way to live one life instead of two” (p. 193)

This book beautifully curates an honest, vulnerable, and real way of “Living Prayer”. Will return to this book again and again as a companion in my prayer life.

[Max Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! If you're looking for a book on prayer that's instructional, then this isn't the book for you; but if you're looking for a book that gets you thinking about a more prayerful life, then it just might be.

Rather than being instructional, it is instead narrative-based, which makes for quite an easy and enjoyable read. In each chapter Benson utilizes personal anecdotes from throughout his life, as well as clever little analogies, to examine different orthodox (little "o") Christian practices relating to prayer. In doing so, he employs frequent, dry humor and swirly (unorthodox) terminology, which I found fun. And in the last chapter, he weaves these experiences together to wrestle with how we common folk might harmonize these practices with daily life, a life "in which our work and our rest and our prayer and our community are not at odds with each other," because "we seek... a way to live one life instead of two." It's a book that, like I said, will get you thinking; it'll get you chuckling, too. It's also a book that I'll happily return to, and plan to read along with a buddy of mine!

[Mikey Rogers]

This is a really beautiful book. Benson humbly draws connections between his life and the practices of the church, inviting the reader to see their own lives as a part of the Story of God. This book feels like an exploration of how grace can make a “quiet and peaceable life” something holy and valuable in the kingdom. This book does set out to convince, but even more so to encourage, and we can all use some encouragement.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part memoir, part guidebook on how to find a life centred on prayer. Having finished it, I'm not running off to start praying, as many other books on 'prayer' will do. This is more an outline on how Benson discovered his own prayer groove through various interactions with certain people and events in his life.

He has a self-deprecating style which is easy to read and I was often smiling at his turns of phrase.

Perhaps the strongest reflection I have is one that he mentioned a few times: 'we learn to pray by praying' and by engaging with others in prayer. It is a discipline and one that Benson discovered has brought him much joy as his intimacy with God has developed.

He doesn't show you how to do it; there are plenty of other books for that, rather Benson helps demonstrate how we can be ever mindful of God's presence and His desire to communicate with us.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I "talk" to God throughout the day...I share things that make me smile, comment on things that worry me and tell the Lord the things that weigh on my heart. I believe that I "chatter" without ceasing but not always sure it's what I should call prayer. I picked up this book in a second-hand bookshop and had it on hand for several months before starting to read it. I found the author has been looking for more meaningful prayer life as well. Not a new plan, but a better understanding of why believers should pray and what our heavenly Father wants to hear from us. I was encouraged and inspired by the book and found myself amused by identifying myself in the author's honest descriptions of his perceived shortcomings. I plan to read the book again; so much for my spirit to ponder.

[Danielle Ripley-Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on spiritual disciplines I've ever read

[AshleyJean6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Some quotes:

"Make a rule that is moderate, one you can keep. More will be added and taken away as you grow. That begin, oh, begin. And take up your place in the general Dance."

"To lift up those who have been given to us, and to whom we have been given, is all, and possibly everything, that we can do."

"Progress, ... is measured not by the amount of ground that is covered; it is measured by the amount of attention that is paid."

"... the life of prayer ... is a journey that is without a destination; we have already arrived all the time."

"'Those who seek to avoid suffering,' wrote merton, 'are the ones who end up suffering the most. They are troubled by every little thing as well, even as they move inexorably to the suffering that is to come.'"

"All too often, we see ourselves as the receivers rather than the givers when we worship."

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, easy, enjoyable read! I was told Benson is a fellow Enneagram 4 and that knowledge colored the book for me. The way he owns up to his “4ness” had me laughing out loud at times at some of our shared utter ridiculousness. It made the book very relatable for me, and since I too share his desire for a life of prayer, I found his earned wisdom on the topic to be both approachable and applicable.

[Olivia Starks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I think about it at least once a week. I read this for a Spiritual Formation class in college, and as I was studying theology academically, spirituality felt so far away as we discussed the imminent issues of death and life and who God is or is not. This book helped me bring spiritual practices into my life by looking at them in a new way.

Thank you for this, Robert Benson.

[Dawne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benson shares his path to making his daily life a living prayer. He does it in a way that makes the ordinary holy. His invitation is doable and provides a frame in which prayer can be woven into the fabric of our daily choices not an "add on." I am grateful to hear him in person as he discusses this book in our book club each month.

[Brian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Begin!

[Linda Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book on prayer - bringing prayer into daily life and taking retreats - honoring the Sabbath.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I last read this, but it is one of those books I like to reread every now and then, typically one chapter each time I go for a hike around Lake Chabot on my own, walking out to a nice bench and then back after reading. It is mostly an account of Benson's own quest to revitalize his prayer life and to explore what it means to live in communion with God and the Christian community, with a large emphasis on rediscovering the rhythms of prayer life which mark the Catholic tradition, as well as the power of a set of set prayers to bring the community of the Church together, around the world and across the last 2000 years.
Benson's style is nicely anecdotal, and he typically begins a chapter with such an anecdote, moves away from it to develop the theme of the chapter in a different way or with other stories, and then returns to his original subject and wraps it all together-- or at least that's how I remember it. Overall a very pleasant and personal book which communicates largely through the author's invitation to the reader to dive into his life and taste his own story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being stashed away in a cabinet for more than a decade, this book presented itself to me at a time when my family needs prayer, not only for a close family member with inoperable cancer, but for my spouse children and other family members who are struggling to find peace and some sense of normalcy within their daily lives during a time when nothing seems right or fair. With effortless prose, "Living Prayer" presents he concept of integrating prayer into daily life; not as an attachment, but as an integral part of life's fabric. I hope that incorporating this prayerful structure into our chaotic family life will promote healing for all.

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living Prayer is a very fitting title for this book. I enjoyed reading it very much; usually at bedtime before going to sleep. These are well told stories of a life lived with prayer at the center. Each chapter leads you around for a little while you may wonder what this story has to do with prayer. Then you suddenly see the connection. A very satisfying experience, touched with humor, humbleness, grace, hope and wonder.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book that causes lots of thinking. I read this last summer while I was in China, it was a great book to read. Benson is good at writing about his thoughts. Although, sometimes I questioned bits that did not seem theologically sound. However, I do think that Benson loves God and seeks his readers to love Him as well, through taking the time to really talk to Him. Prayer is a sweet sweet thing, and I really think that Benson captures this.

[Chris Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books I can tell I'll be revisiting often. On first visit alone, it's underlined and dog-eared like crazy. Benson has a beautiful, simple, rich voice. He writes from the soul, and this memoir of a prayer life is never pretentious, preachy or overtly pious. He makes a life of disciplined prayer seem not only attainable but attractive, not a cloistered and isolated existence but a warm and fulfilling one. I look forward to reading more by Benson and returning to this over the years.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presents a number of practical approaches to establishing a routine by which to begin to lead a more contemplative and prayerful life. Warrants a second read at some point because of it's pith and nuance.

[Emily]

This book will most definitely become a regular on my bedside table. What an illuminating look into the role that traditional church liturgy and the liturgical calendar can play in one's personal pursuit of a life lived at attention - a life of prayer.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir of the author's spiritual growth with advice for the reader to improve their own spiritual development. It has been helpful to me and made me look at myself in a new way. Highly recommended!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice now. It talks about living a life of prayer. It is based on the daily office, which is the daily prayer of the Anglican Church using the book of common prayer. Benson is an Episcopalian.

[Deitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book, he is totally speaking my language. One of the best books I've read this year. I love the way Benson writes.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very honest book on the struggle to develop a consistent prayer life, and the way that it has shaped the rest of his life.

[Cindy Coloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book and have read it several times.

[Marilyn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Benson's story of becoming a living prayer. It has his usual honest down-to-earth style. I would recommend it to anyone who prays even a little -- or who would like to.

[Lisa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply meaningful book about his fairh and spiritual practices.

[Martha Dolliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Second time that I have read it, and I enjoyed it even more this time!

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Huge gaps, no real sharing, spiritual direction?!?

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love everything by Robert Benson. Everything.