Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Shane Claiborne do those of us who struggle to live the life of an ordinary radical a favor in their new book ‘Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals.’ In this inspirational feast of stories, prayers from church history, and biblical invitations to prayer this dynamic neo-monastic duo encourages and empowers the reader to take the risky journey into prayer, a journey that can make you a radical. The book is organized around three famous prayers from the New Testament, the Lord’s Prayer, John 17, and Ephesians 1:15-23 and in each section the passages are expostied and the reader is invited into the prayer of the text as the prayer starts to shape your imagination. The treasure of the book is how simply these two brothers are able to connect a life of prayer to a life of radical faith in our world that is not in need of actionless prayer or unispired action.
This will be one book that I shall purchase simply based on the fact that I to found that a life of prayer has always made me a radical in some since of the word. I take very seriously my call to prayer. I ponder what comes from my time with God in prayer. The writings of others experiences with prayer has taught me many different forms of prayer. I go to prayer for all things. I ask God to help me to fully recognize my sins. As I become aware, through the act of self “Examen” at least I am made aware of some of my sins. Other people make me aware of some more and I may or may not agree with their difinition of sin and in particular my sin. Confession then leads to forgiveness from God and as I confess my sins to others, I am giving them the opportunity to forgive me as well. Brother Lawrence taught me to pray as I go. Practice the Presence of God while washing dishes, tending a child, reading a book, any lifes moments can be one for prayer. As a child I spent much time in contemplation of nature and other things and The Holy Spirite became very real to me and a constant companion my entire life. Even with this companionship I made bad choices and had some failures but that was not the last word. As God nudged me back and I turned around, once again that Oneness became bright and beautiful again. God asks us to LOVE. As I continue to learn this lesson and do what is required in loving, that makes me a radical as Jesus and that assures me of being an activist in the world. Loving is very active !!! Loving is not just a FEELING. LOVE IS AN ACT OR ACTS. !!!!