Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals - Shane Claiborne, Jonathan WIlson-Hartgrove and Enuma Okoro

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals is a multi-faceted book of study and prayer. It can be used both individually and corporately for prayer, worship and study. Compiled by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Enuma Okoro; the book incorporates the liturgies, prayers and traditions of Christians across many centuries and denominations. The book is divided into six main parts: Introduction, Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer, Mid-day Prayer, Occasional Prayers and Songbook. Published by Zondervan in 2010; this book will remain a rich resource for years to come.
In the introduction, the authors discuss how and why this book was created. It talks about God’s desire for Christians to be united as one body and for them to pray as a community not just individually. Further, the introduction provides instructions and ideas for how to use the book. The authors also acknowledge the various people who were involved in the creation of Common Prayer.
The first section, evening prayer is comprised of a prayer for each night of the week. Both individuals and groups can use these prayers. Throughout the book, the liturgies are divided into bold and regular print indicating the sections for a leader to read and for the community to respond.
The Morning Prayer section of the book is the expansive. Separated into months; then each individual day has its own liturgy. Within the liturgy, there are psalms and prayers written along with suggested songs and scripture readings. At the beginning of each month; there is a theme, which is discussed, and books are suggested for further study. Each of the themes is one of the twelve marks of the New Monasticism: Locating our lives in the abandoned places of the empire, Shared economics, Reconciliation, Celebrating Singleness and Marriage, Submission to Christ’s Body: the Church, Hospitality, Care for Creation, Geographical Proximity, Peacemaking, Contemplative Prayer, Formation in the Way of Christ, and Nurturing a Common Life. Many days begin with a discussion of a particular person or event that day that has influenced the life of the Church. Each month ends with a few practical ideas of how to be community. Incorporated throughout the book are sidebars; a list of these is at the beginning; that contains on various subjects regarding liturgy, spiritual disciplines and seasons within the church calendar. Since Holy Week and Easter move each year, they have their own section of liturgy for Morning Prayer.
The midday prayer section simply contains a short liturgy for the middle of the day. The next section, occasional prayers, contains prayers for different kinds of circumstances and celebrations including house blessings, commissioning and adoption. Then the last section, the songbook, contains a variety of traditional hymns and songs sung by the Church.
Common Prayer is accessible to all as it is available in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book formats. A phone app is also available. I would also recommend the pocket edition, which is a paperback condensed version for individual use that is easy to carry anywhere. The pocket edition also contains some additional prayers for individual circumstances. To learn more about Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals; visit their website at commonprayer.net

 Make this excellent book apart of your devotional life; it will greatly enrich your life. I recently used the Litany to Honor Women found on page 562 at a women's retreat.  A number of women commented on how meaningful it was.  It is one of my liturgical resources to use. 

Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation by Peter Goodwin Heltzel

Part of the Prophetic Christianity Series created by the William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Peter Heltzel’s latest book, Resurrection City:   A Theology of Improvisation is a book written for those looking to go beyond the current solutions for injustice.  Borrowing from both civil rights and jazz music, the title reflects Heltzel’s thesis that it is time for Christians to find a new way of creating Resurrection.  We can take lessons from history, philosophy, religion and music but like jazz; the best will only come when we as Christians improvise.  Heltzel calls racism, “America’s original sin”.   He lays his premise out in his first chapter by discussing the Resurrection City of the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968 and then moves into the connection between this movement, heaven and music.  Hetzel calls us to imagine a future full of love, justice and shalom, a resurrection city.  He then takes us back in time taking us through the prophets and the preaching of justice throughout the Old Testament. The book then moves into an entire chapter describing Jesus as an improviser.  Heltzel lays out scripture demonstrating how Jesus introduced a new song; a new world order based on love. We are called not to just wait passively but to act continuing the struggle for Resurrection until Christ comes again.   From there Heltzel sharply reminds us of how slavery became embedded as an American Institution how even Thomas Jefferson could not bring himself to free his slaves.  However, since the doctrine of equality by creation was written into our Bill of Rights; it would become the battle of cry of abolitionists and those part of the shadow side of the American Empire.   Heltzel’s discussion quickly turns to the prophetic ministries of Sojourner Truth, Howard Thurman and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Yet as Heltzel points we can learn from these great prophets and their work but the time has come for something new.   The last two chapters provide us with inspiration and challenge for our imaginations with Heltzel sharing of his own Occupy experiences and connecting love with jazz.   Heltzel’s genius is his challenge to improvise and go outside of the box.  We need to listen and to love; it is not about creating new institutions but liberating old ones and forming new relationships.  Like jazz, sharing the Resurrection story is not meant to be said in the same fashion repeatedly.  Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation confronts the issues of injustice at the deepest level.   This book is not for the fainted-hearted or the shallow thinker but for those who desire to hear something new spoken loud and clear.   Heltzel knows his history, his scripture, his politics and theology; Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation speaks to the hear t of the matter both imaginatively and intellectually.  It is a must read for the those working for Resurrection City to not just be a future dream but a present here and now. 

#SpeakeasyRezCity

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

Downton Abbey and the Most Vulnerable-What Actions can we take and How can we Pray?

This past Sunday night like many in the USA I was glued to my TV watching Downton Abbey on my local PBS station.  However; I did not expect the sexual assault and battery of one of its most honest and vulnerable characters.  Reading various responses to the show on Facebook and Twitter; I have heard feelings of anger, disgust, shock and disappointment expressed.  For many of us who watch PBS because it often has less violent and graphic fare than many network and cable outlets; it was shocking that the writers would take the story in this direction.  Yet it is a realistic direction, a family and its servants that have been together for as many years as Downton Abbey covers would have more than likely experienced this type of tragedy.  More often that not it would have been a servant or even a daughter who could be controlled and manipulated.

While it is a realistic reality of something that occurs far too often even in our 21st century;  I am saddened for all of those who have loved Downton Abbey but for which this scene brought back painful memories. For those of us for whom we have no personal experience with sexual assault and battery perhaps we can  channel our energies into being there for our friends and family who have.  We can encourage them to talk about it and help to find a safe place for treatment.  We can volunteer at local agencies and shelters that assist victims of sexual assault and battery.

On wider scale; we can make known the extent of human trafficking and prostitution that continues to occur around globe.  Visit http://www.polarisproject.org/ for more information on sex trafficking around the globe.  Thistle Farms is a social enterprise that supports women who have escaped prostitution, trafficking, abuse and life on the streets; visit their website: http://www.thistlefarms.org/

Last but not least pray for the most vulnerable:

Lord we offer you today the victims of abuse and violence
We pray for their healing and for their restoration to wholeness
Help us who minister and care for them to be sensitive and non-judgmental
Fill our minds with creative ways to protect and love the most vulnerable
Direct our paths to be Jesus to them that they will know your unconditional love
All of us Lord have vulnerable places in our souls; use our vulnerabilities to help others
Free us of our guilt and shame that we can reach those still in need of healing
Increase our awareness of the needs around the globe
Protect t the most vulnerable in our midst - our orphans, our elderly, our sick, our homeless, our lonely, our jobless and our victims caught in the webs of abuse, violence, human trafficking and sex slavery

In the Name of Our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Amen. 

A Road to DayBreak

Henri Nouwen’s book, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey is a book I return to repeatedly.  I return to this book not because it is an easy read but because I find comfort in the reminders these pages offer. This spiritual journal helps me to remember that the Christian journey is not for the faint-hearted.  It challenges me to try new disciplines. 

In this book, Henri Nouwen describes how he moved from being a Harvard professor to being a priest for the L’Arche Daybreak Community.  The journal entries are in chronological order but do not stand-alone.  Nouwen emphasizes the stages of his journey by placing the entries in chapters giving each one a title.  The titles of each chapter provide the reader with insight of how the entries are connected. 

Published in 1988 by Doubleday; The Road to Daybreak speaks universally to the loneliness of the human condition.  Nouwen explores the intersection of community; deep individual friendships and personal relationship with Jesus.  The Road to Daybreak emphasizes how the maintenance of each of these is important as we navigate change. 

The book is not just the physical journey to Daybreak community but also the inner journey of beginning a new life. The Road to Daybreak offers readers the opportunity to encounter Jesus in their hearts, minds and souls.  Nouwen suggests that Jesus cares about the big things in life like vocation but also about the details of how our time is spent. He discovers in this year; the importance of saying no and of just being.  Our days do not have to be filled to the brim with activity.  Jesus honors our seeking.  

Yet seeking is not always easy; throughout the book, we observe Nouwen struggling in his prayer life.  Carving out the time and staying focused are his main issues.  Nouwen wrestled too with keeping his focus on Jesus.  He was often caught up in trying to follow others’ expectations and seeking their affirmations.  This is what makes the book so meaningful to me.  Each time I return to read it; The Road to Daybreak is like a breath of fresh air.  Nouwen’s honesty and struggles comfort me.  If someone who spent 30 years in the priesthood lived often in the place of mystery; then I too can live in the place of mystery. 

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey provides a great start to thinking about the New Year and a fresh start.  Its 227 pages; share Nouwen’s observations and encounters.  The book takes its readers across two continents and many different countries.  Its rich descriptions of people and places connect Nouwen’s experiences with people of all ages; nationalities and stages of faith.  Available in both paperback and e-reader editions; The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey is a great place to start the new year and a great start to the writings of Henri Nouwen if he is new for you.       

Focus 2014

It is the 4th day of the New Year and the 11th day of Christmas.  Today; I am so thankful that I have a loving and forgiving God because somehow the best of my intentions to blog everyday during Advent and Christmas did not happen; I only made it to Day 6.  However, God does desire us to be faithful in using our gifts to serve Him.  So as I prayed about this; I was given the word; FOCUS for 2014.

2012 was the year of Risk as the Holy Spirit led me to try new things.  2013 was the year of listening as the Holy Spirit guided me into a more specific direction and now as that direction is taking more shape; 2014 is the year of focus.

Focus as defined by the dictionary can mean to pay particular attention to or being able to see more clearly. However, the definition that fits best for this year is center of interest or activity because God desires me to live into my calling by following Her guidance and thereby experiencing Her freedom.

Here is my prayer for 2014:

Lord

Free my mind of clutter
Open my heart to your love
Cleanse my soul of sin
Unify my spirit
Show me your  path

So watch for more book reviews and new posts on a variety of subjects as I continue to try by the Spirit's help live into my calling.

How are you going to live into your calling in 2014?