27.05.2022
New book gives tools to build deeper relationship with God
Launch of ‘Perspectives on Prayer and Spirituality’
A new book designed to help people deepen their spiritual practices was launched in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute on Monday evening (May 23). ‘Perspectives on Prayer and Spirituality’ is edited by Maurice Elliott and Patrick McGlinchey and features a host of contributors who offer their insights in a range of areas: relating to God, discovering ourselves, worshipping together and serving others.
‘Spirituality’ has become a buzzword in contemporary culture as individuals attempt to find meaning and fulfilment. Its detachment from the church signals an attempt to find wholeness without the old rituals. The impetus for the book is that the intuition behind the search for spirituality is good as it acknowledges that there must be more to life than what secular medial or consumerism tells us. The message of the book is that the spiritual quest is worthwhile but also that we must rediscover what has been left behind. ‘Perspectives on Prayer and Spirituality’ offers the tools to explore Christian spirituality and develop a personal relationship with God.
Contributors to the book include Patrick McGlinchey (The Spiritual Disciplines), Maurice Elliott (The Spirituality of the Quiet Time), William Olhausen (Spirituality and Paul), Kenneth Good (The Spirituality of Journaling), Adrian Chatfield (Encountering God on Retreat), Kieran O’Mahony (Contemplative Spirituality for the Uninitiated), Bridget Nichols (Prayer Book Spirituality), Janet Unsworth (Nurturing Corporate Prayer), Ian Mills (Spirituality and Hymnody), Rob Clements (Spirituality for All–Age Worship), Christina Baxter (The Art of Praying for Others), Suzanne Cousins (Developing a Compassionate Spirituality) and Rebecca Guildea (Engaging with Prayer Ministry).
Launching ‘Perspectives on Prayer and Spirituality’, the Revd Dr Craig Bartholomew, director of the Kirby Laing Institute said the book was essential reading as it attended to the top priority for Christian ministry today. Referring to the story of Mary and Martha [Luke 10: 42], he said that the Church must “attend to the one thing necessary” and this was done by attending to spirituality.
“Our journey out in the world has to be funded by attention to God himself through prayer and spirituality. This book puts its finger on the one thing necessary. Anglicans are famous for doing a thousand things but not the one thing necessary. We need to recover our focus on the one thing necessary,” he stated. However, he added, talking and writing about Christian spirituality was good but it was most important to practice it. “We need this book but it is a waste of time if it does not translate into practice,” he said.
The Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey said that the book had been a pleasure to edit and pledged that it would deepen readers’ relationship with God, help them to worship better and inspire them in faith. He added that the book challenges the reader to go deeper, there are questions to answer and there are also practical tips.
Drawing proceedings to a close, Archbishop Michael Jackson thanked all who made time to contribute to the book and those who edited it. He said that it enabled people to have a voice that is published and thanked the authors for laying themselves open in this way.
‘Perspectives on Prayer and Spirituality’ is available directly from CITI for €20/£20 by emailing admin@theologicalinstitute.ie
