Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: What Language Shall I Borrow?
1. Praying with St. Benedict: The Divine Office
2. Praying with Martin Luther: The Lord's Prayer
3. Praying with the Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer
Part Two: Praying with Scripture
4. Praying with John Calvin: Studious Meditation on the Psalms
5. Praying with Ignatius of Loyola: The Prayer of the Senses
Part Three: Conversations, Light and Dark
6. Praying with St. Teresa of Ávila: Recollection of the Presence of God
7. Praying with the Puritans: Meditation in Writing
8. Praying with The Cloud of Unknowing: Contemplation in the Dark
Part Four: Asking God for Help
9. Praying with Agnes Sanford: The Healing Light
10. Praying with Andrew Murray: The Ministry of Intercession
Benediction
Appendix 1: Using This Book in Small Groups and Church Classes
Appendix 2: Putting Prayer into Practice
Notes

About the Author

Gary Neal Hansen (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is assistant professor of church history and the chair of the history and theology division at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He and his wife live in Iowa with their young son.

Reviews

"Hansen goes a long way toward bridging the gap between doctrine and faith. And he does it with simplicity and an invitational spirit."
*Richard Ray, The Presbyterian Outlook, December 10, 2012*

"In this remarkable book Mr. Hansen offers a key insight about a particular way to pray, drawn from spiritual giants of the past. As a good guide he reminds us that the point is not just to learn about these famous ascetics and their books but to actually pray and experience God as they did. Mr. Hansen, a Presbyterian seminary professor, helps us by explaining, for instance, St. Benedict's insight on using the Divine Office, Luther's teachings on the Lord's Prayer, Calvin's studious meditations on the Psalms, St. Teresa of Avila's experiences of recollecting the presence of God or even learning how and why the Puritans wrote out their prayers."
*Byron and Beth Borger, The Washington Times, November 29, 2015*

"I would encourage those desiring help in their prayer life to pick this book up and use it as a resource. It is not a book you should read cover to cover, but slowly and thoughtfully while attempting each method. Prayer is hard and it would be wise to use the teachers of the past. Dr. Hansen helps us with that."
*The Presbyterian Post, 3, 2014*