How to Pray

How to Pray, by Reverend Joseph Nassal and Nancy Burke, is a "nondenominational primer [that] shows you how to connect with a power beyond yourself." Nassal and Burke open their book with a description of what or to whom we pray to, and highlight some of the history of God as Father and God as Mother. They explain that "prayer is all about relationship with God, regardless of the images and names we use to build that relationship." They discuss the different forms that prayer can take, and explain the differences between prayer and meditation. Prayer is not an exercise or a convenience, they say, but rather "it is a human necessity and Divine commandment." They add that "your prayer relationship will be private, intimate and uniquely yours." Although prayer is a natural action, sometimes it's hard to find the time to pray, or to know just how to go about it. Nassal and Burke suggest forming the habit of prayer by reserving a time and place for prayer--to plan a time for prayer just as we plan time to eat, sleep, or mow the lawn. They say "cultivating a prayerful life is no different" than cultivating other good habits. They offer specific tips on how regular prayer can be made a part of even the busiest life. Although they maintain that prayer is a private process and that each will find "your own voice and words," Nassal and Burke devote the second half of the book to printed prayers as assistance to those who need it. They grouped the prayers into classifications such as gratitude and thanksgiving, petition, and praise. How To Pray is for all those seeking a closer relationship with the Divine in their lives.