Beginning to Pray

I read this book twice and it contained valuable information. I really liked the first section, it spoke about how we often pray to God for something, instead of praying to develop a relationship with God. It was a very easy to read book, written in simple language.

This book is beautiful, simple, very direct and honest. Metropolitan Bloom does not mince words...it is exactly what I was looking for, and it delivered and exceeded my expectations. It gives you a cook-book recipe approach for the novice learning to pray, it clearly defines feelings and emotion, it also states some of the obstacles of prayer which must be dealt with in order to go "inwards". It is obvious to me that this man had unlocked the key of prayer, and that he had grown to know God well. You won't be disappointed!

A small book that I carry with me as a tool of discernment and encouragement to carry on a conversation with God during the day wherever I happen to be. It has taught me to pray with attention and to live in the present moment and to be aware that I am in the presence of God even when I am at work or engaged in conversation with other people. This book is a nice gift that is useful for Protestants or Catholics.

Bloom tells his very interesting life story in which he was born in Switzerland (1914), raised in a secular family in Russia and Persia and educated in Paris. He served as an officer and a surgeon in the French army, was a participant in the French Resistance, and finally became a priest. Bloom points out the importance of addressing the Infinite personally. "There are moments when the sacred writers, for instance, burst out with something which has the quality of a nickname, something which no one else could possibly say, which is made possible only because there is a relationship." He gives examples of the psalms where the psalmist says things like, "You, my joy!" or "You, the pain of my life!" Bloom goes on to say, "When we can address Him with violence, then we have established a relationship of prayer." The title comes from this quote: "The day when God is absent, when he is silent - that is the beginning of prayer."

What Bloom offers is not in conflict with Protestant theology but it does offer a perspective that is hard to find in mainstream Protestantism that will benefit anyone interested in prayer. I’ve been disillusioned with the Protestant practice of prayer for a while and I found this refreshing and validating.

There's not much that I can say about this book that hasn't already been said by others (but I wanted to write a review anyway!). The book is excellent. Some have said it's a good book to read for beginners to prayer and to beginners to a life of faith, but I respectfully disagree--I think the book is well-suited for anyone to read, no matter where they are on their journey--I believe there is something for every person to glean from the book. One of the things that struck me was how Metropolitan Anthony discussed how nearly impossible it is for us to be "alone with ourselves", and I think nothing proves him right than to see how constantly we are always "plugged in" to our technology--he said this at a time before cell phones, PC's/tablets, etc. (i.e., he said this at a time when we were *less* "plugged in"); indeed, it seems many are plugged in all the time to avoid the pain and discomfort of being alone with themselves. The book warms the heart--not in a cheesy, feel-good way, but in a way that makes you want to dig deeper into yourself and to try to forge a better prayer life, and either establish a better relationship with God or to start a relationship with God. I found the story of his conversion interesting and feel many today could relate to it on a personal level. He also discussed how the lowest points in our lives (what some may call their "rock bottom"), when we feel like giving up the most, or being the most despondent, are opportunities to reach down to our innermost depths out to God.

For anyone who is seeking a deeper prayer life, whether as one who is beginning a journey or someone who is well along the path of faith, this work is an undescribably rich gift from Metropolitan Anthony to the reader. As I read each chapter, I found myself challenged and encouraged to take my prayer life more deeply inward. Metropolitan Anthony does not just introduce techniques or give situational advice to finding a fuller prayer life, He challenges the reader to examine an entirely different way of looking at the source of deep and effective prayer. Unlike many evangelical books on the topic, Metropolitan Anthony seeks to teach us how to fish (to use the well worn cliche) so that we may be fed for a lifetime. I encourage anyone who reads this review to buy this book, read it slowly, over time and allow it to enrich your relationship with God.

Anthony Bloom is unlike any other author I have read. I recommend him to Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestants (I am a Protestant). This is one of the best books I have read on prayer, and where he holds different ideas than my own I am challenged to rethink and look at prayer through potentially new lenses.

difficult to keep this book; it keeps "walking away". The absolute best religious author in the world.

Really enjoyable read!

I read this book twice and it contained valuable information. I really liked the first section, it spoke about how we often pray to God for something, instead of praying to develop a relationship with God. It was a very easy to read book, written in simple language.

This book is beautiful, simple, very direct and honest. Metropolitan Bloom does not mince words...it is exactly what I was looking for, and it delivered and exceeded my expectations. It gives you a cook-book recipe approach for the novice learning to pray, it clearly defines feelings and emotion, it also states some of the obstacles of prayer which must be dealt with in order to go "inwards". It is obvious to me that this man had unlocked the key of prayer, and that he had grown to know God well. You won't be disappointed!

A small book that I carry with me as a tool of discernment and encouragement to carry on a conversation with God during the day wherever I happen to be. It has taught me to pray with attention and to live in the present moment and to be aware that I am in the presence of God even when I am at work or engaged in conversation with other people. This book is a nice gift that is useful for Protestants or Catholics.

Bloom tells his very interesting life story in which he was born in Switzerland (1914), raised in a secular family in Russia and Persia and educated in Paris. He served as an officer and a surgeon in the French army, was a participant in the French Resistance, and finally became a priest. Bloom points out the importance of addressing the Infinite personally. "There are moments when the sacred writers, for instance, burst out with something which has the quality of a nickname, something which no one else could possibly say, which is made possible only because there is a relationship." He gives examples of the psalms where the psalmist says things like, "You, my joy!" or "You, the pain of my life!" Bloom goes on to say, "When we can address Him with violence, then we have established a relationship of prayer." The title comes from this quote: "The day when God is absent, when he is silent - that is the beginning of prayer."

What Bloom offers is not in conflict with Protestant theology but it does offer a perspective that is hard to find in mainstream Protestantism that will benefit anyone interested in prayer. I’ve been disillusioned with the Protestant practice of prayer for a while and I found this refreshing and validating.

There's not much that I can say about this book that hasn't already been said by others (but I wanted to write a review anyway!). The book is excellent. Some have said it's a good book to read for beginners to prayer and to beginners to a life of faith, but I respectfully disagree--I think the book is well-suited for anyone to read, no matter where they are on their journey--I believe there is something for every person to glean from the book. One of the things that struck me was how Metropolitan Anthony discussed how nearly impossible it is for us to be "alone with ourselves", and I think nothing proves him right than to see how constantly we are always "plugged in" to our technology--he said this at a time before cell phones, PC's/tablets, etc. (i.e., he said this at a time when we were *less* "plugged in"); indeed, it seems many are plugged in all the time to avoid the pain and discomfort of being alone with themselves. The book warms the heart--not in a cheesy, feel-good way, but in a way that makes you want to dig deeper into yourself and to try to forge a better prayer life, and either establish a better relationship with God or to start a relationship with God. I found the story of his conversion interesting and feel many today could relate to it on a personal level. He also discussed how the lowest points in our lives (what some may call their "rock bottom"), when we feel like giving up the most, or being the most despondent, are opportunities to reach down to our innermost depths out to God.

For anyone who is seeking a deeper prayer life, whether as one who is beginning a journey or someone who is well along the path of faith, this work is an undescribably rich gift from Metropolitan Anthony to the reader. As I read each chapter, I found myself challenged and encouraged to take my prayer life more deeply inward. Metropolitan Anthony does not just introduce techniques or give situational advice to finding a fuller prayer life, He challenges the reader to examine an entirely different way of looking at the source of deep and effective prayer. Unlike many evangelical books on the topic, Metropolitan Anthony seeks to teach us how to fish (to use the well worn cliche) so that we may be fed for a lifetime. I encourage anyone who reads this review to buy this book, read it slowly, over time and allow it to enrich your relationship with God.

Anthony Bloom is unlike any other author I have read. I recommend him to Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestants (I am a Protestant). This is one of the best books I have read on prayer, and where he holds different ideas than my own I am challenged to rethink and look at prayer through potentially new lenses.

difficult to keep this book; it keeps "walking away". The absolute best religious author in the world.

Really enjoyable read!

This book is indispensable to anyone trying to understand prayer and especially anyone struggling with prayer. Please read this book and buy multiple copies to give away!

I have bought numerous copies of this classic and lovely book for those learning to pray, those wishing to broaden their repertoire, or those despairing about their life of prayer. It is gently encouraging and lucid.

This is not a technique of prayer but why, when, how to pray. Its simple and basic, like "oh, yeah, I knew that in my heart". Its not scholarly, but in depth, you'll really take a breath and understand what it is to pray to God.

This is a classic book by Metropolitan Bloom. It is not a book to rush through. It is best to read a page or two & ponder on the words. It is not a heavy theological tome but a small book in which almost every sentence is important. Read it slowly to get his full message.

What seems like a tutorial on simply getting started on prayer turns out to be much more. The insights offered are invaluable as guide posts into Noetic Prayer. A must read for those who seriously want to deepen their prayer life.

An all-time Christian classic all Christians need to read and utilize in their prayer lives.

I had been praying for years as an evangelical, and now have been investigating Orthodoxy for more than a year. This is a very honest and practical book on prayer from an Orthodox perspective. The author is simple, but very penetrating and touches on some fundamental aspects of theology.

Gosh. What a wonderful book. Helped me examine and rebuild my understanding of prayer. I have read it 3 times now, and gifted it to a few friends. I wish I could rate it 6+ stars.

I am pleased

I haven't even read the entire book and I have already learned so much. This book is great for people who don't know where to go next in their prayer life, or if they feel as if something isn't clicking while they are praying! After reading this book, I've come to begin viewing prayer and actually praying differently. I would highly recommend this book!

Deepens your awareness and sharpens your skills for a real time interaction with God. I'm a work in progress 😊

Gave insight on what prayer can be and should be

Excellent book by Metropolitan Bloom. Not too complicated at all and has really helped me in my prayer life.

This is a great book teaching what prayer is, and how to pray and understand that it is not reasoning it all out but realizing repentance and God's extreme love for us.

I have not finished the book yet, but what I have read is excellent and very deep on the subject of prayer. This book was recommended to me by the Catholic Byzantine Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pennsylvania, and is both a book on beginning and advanced prayer.

Have read this book twice now and bought one for my mother - at her request! Enlightening, new insight, thought provoking - if you have any questions about prayer at all - please read this book.

This may be an older work but it is as fresh and excellent today as it was when first published. I am so glad that it is still available.

Delightful!

It is no secret this small book is packed with insight and wisdom. A window, if not a door, to those seeking a deeper meaning in life and a desire to be closer to God.

Amazing book. Definitely worth a read and a re-read.

This book is sure to increase your relationship with God. And if you don't have any relationship at all, this may indeed be the key that unlocks the door to the beginning,.. even if you "think" you are a Christian "think" you are saved "think" you don't need anyone to tell you more about how to do such an obviously easy thing as pray. Think again.

Met Anthony is so down to earth you can relate to his illustrations easily. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a fuller, more real relationship to God.

Masterful! It's about prayer and it's about so much more than prayer.

Filled with practical, timeless wisdom that sticks.

The title to this book may be a bit misleading. It seems like a cheesy religious book but it actually has changed my life forever.

A Good book by a very important and knowledgeable Figure..

My spiritual director recommended this book to me. The book guides me in my spiritual life and is clear in its message.

Nice book

loved it

Good book to read about Orthodox Catholic prayer.

Very good condition.

A friend preached a great sermon recently, and he made reference to Anthony Bloom's classic book Beginning to Pray. I decided to buy the book to read a little more about the way he spoke of living in the present--as a real Christian discipline. I found the book to be very thought-provoking--written in the 1970's--and would recommend it to anyone who is searching for meaning in one's life. Since I'm a 21st Century close-to-progressive Christian, I was not as taken with this book as perhaps someone who is just beginning to walk the path of Jesus Christ would be, yet, it holds up as a book worth reading.

Didn't care for it

This book has stained pages and was incredibly bent!

Christmas present

The book was in good shape but is pretty musty smelling; unpleasant.

If you want to learn how to pray, this book is you. Metropolitan Anthony was a living proof of a true spiritual man who knew that prayer is a "tool" that helps man on his way to communion with God. Speaking about prayer, I also want to share a few points that St Isaac the Syrian considers the most important. St Isaac the Syrian says we should: • Pray with attention – so that we can have a true encounter with God. • Pray with humility – because this sort of prayer goes straight to God’s ear. • Pray with affection and tears – with joy and thanksgiving, but also with true repentance and purity. • Pray with patience and ardor – ‘to deny oneself’ is courageously to persevere in prayer. • Pray from the depths of the heart – even if we pray using ‘the words of another’ they should be uttered as if they are our own. St. Isaac says this is especially true of the Psalms. • Pray with faith and absolute trust in God – because He knows our life. The true prayer is not a vain repetition but a cry from the bottom of our heart, with attention, humility, reverence, and repentance. If you want to know more about the Orthodox Church and Orthodox spirituality, you may also get these books: 1 The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology by Igumen Chariton 2 Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder by Thaddeus of Vitovnica 3 Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware 4 The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation by St. Theophan the Recluse 5 On the Prayer of Jesus by Ignatius Brianchaninov 6 The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life by Ignatius Brianchaninov 7 The Search for Truth on the Path of Reason by Alexei I. Osipov God bless.

I attended a Benedictine spirituality retreat last year on opening the heart and when I asked the retreat director for a book on prayer she advised Anthony Bloom. I finshed it during the year end retreat at the same monastery. I learned prayers are answered when we direct them to us as we see they are fit and worthy of us and we are experiencing trouble and anguish when we are doing otherwise. Only by letting God reveal our inner lives to us we begin to experience the serenity and peace which we are meant for. By learning to sit quietly and not getting bored we will hear the knock on the door and divine presence yet some times in the form of pain. there are good stories and anecdotes with autobiographical references peppered in the book. I liked the horse and the cart anecdote, for not letting the cart run us over, we run in fear as opposed to pulling the cart, in the time management chapter. The last anecdote about the young holy man praying for his workshop workers on Mt. Athos is a highlight, I let you enjoy it. It is the crux of prayer life. One of the best books I have read on prayer from all traditions. Thank you Dr. Audrey Spinder for recommendung it!

Though hailed as a primer for "people who have never prayed before", this book, written by Archbishop Anthony Bloom, is nothing short of spectacular. The book's orinigal title, "School of Prayer" is more appropiate because this book should be utilized by all Christians. In the last few years, a resurgence of prayer books liek the "Prayer of Jabex" by Wilkinson and "Prayer of Jesus" and "The Covering" by Hannagraff are selling of the charts, this book by Bloom is far more superior than their text. Though only about 144 pages, there is much wisdom and the book should be read slowly after much spiritual contemplation. It is easy to read, yet it contains so much theological depth that it is truly amazing. The first 20 pages are average as it has an interview with Bloom. The real meat begins in chapter one title "The Absence of God" where Bloom writes, "If you look at the relationship (us and God) in terms of mutual relationship, you would see that God could complain about us a great deal more thann we about Him. We complain that He does make Himself present to us for a few minutes we reserve for Him, but what about the twenty-three and half hours during which God may be knocking at our door and we answer 'I am busy..." This is just a taste - buy the book for a deep look at prayer. You will forever be thankful.

Beginning to Pray is a wonderful little book that is simple to read and opens up a world of prayer that is a beautiful encounter with God. Met. Bloom writes very complex ideas into truly simple and wonderful language. There is a sense that Met. Bloom truly knows what it means to pray. The following link will give more info about Met. Bloom. It is difficult to summarize so much that the book presents. In fact, there are so many nuggets of truth, I imagine multiple readings over time would enhance its value. Here are several things that were especially meaningful to me as I read the book. 1. Prayer is not formulaic or ritualistic. By this I mean, that prayer is not some magic incantation that forces God to behave for us. It is an encounter and a relationship (26). Bloom makes this clear by saying that it can not be forced by us for there is nothing that we can do to make God interact with us. We want God to react and respond to our cries but he has much more justification to complain at our lack of response to Him. 2. Prayer is a relationship of love. This becomes true for us through the beatitude of poverty. All that we possess is a gift from God, and we possess nothing that we can keep. Every gift is a sign of God's love; holding onto possession takes us out of the realm of love (39-42). 3. Prayer turns inward. The inward journey of prayer is not a journey into myself but through myself toward God (46). It is a risk to go inward, because you strip away those things that you thought were real, this throws one into a crisis that only God can fill. 4. Stirrings of the heart teach us to pray. The prayers of the church teach us to pray, and Bloom gives excellent guidance in applying these to our lives. Whenever a prayer of the Church touches us deeply and stirs us, we should grab hold of this, learn it, pray it and live it. 5. Prayer must be lived. Words of prayer are words of commitment to God. Bloom makes an interesting statement that Christ is not going to be crucified for us every day, there is a moment that we must take up our own cross. When we speak to God we must be willing to live and commit to what we say. This text is so simple but has the power to transform your prayer life. In the words of the Fathers: "A Theologian is one who truly prays."

Anthony Bloom's Beginning to Pray is not just for beginners in prayer. In it, Bloom offers practical suggestions for novices in prayer and profound insights for even the most spiritually mature. Bloom draws from a life rich in challenges and communication with people and God in myriad circumstances. His writings of prayer reveal the mysteries that open to a person who prays in God's presence often. The introduction to the book is the transcript of an interview of the author answering questions about his life and ministry. The interview illustrates his qualifications to write a book on prayer. It also shows that his is a remarkable life journey that has taken him from Russia to the Orient to France. He worked his way through college to become a surgeon, eventually being conscripted by the Germans after the occupation of France. He then became ordained as monk in 1948 and served as a monk and a surgeon before leaving his medical practice for ministry. His first point in writing of prayer emphasizes our state before God. People at some point will face God, and when they do, they will receive salvation or condemnation. He encourages readers to accept their desperate state and to go to God asking for and receiving mercy. Then prayer can begin. Otherwise, God is outside of us and cannot hear. Prayer will be sent to the unknown. Bloom urges readers to develop a passion for God at the expense of the possessions of the world. He reminds readers that one must take up his or her cross daily to follow Jesus. Bloom offers readers ways to experiment with types of prayers to find what suits them. These include written prayers like psalms, short prayers like the "Jesus Prayer, praying with icons or spontaneous prayers. What is important writes Bloom is that those praying believe in their own prayers and pray heartily not haphazardly to God. He also exhorts readers on the importance of sitting quietly in one's room away from the distractions of the world. To Bloom, practicing silence before God is a key to closeness with God in prayer. For Bloom, those "crises" in our lives that would become excuses not to pray are the very dangers that should prompt us to pray. Let nothing stop you from entering into quiet time before the Lord. He devotes a chapter to managing time and prayer. The final chapter entitled "Addressing God" discusses the necessity of a personal relationship with God as opposed to a functional relationship with God. This idea critiques a relationship where readers see God as serving a purpose only in their lives versus a relationship with him in which he is the object and desire. This personal relationship requires us to call God by a name that is personal and address him not vaguely but as someone known. Bloom's insights target intensity, passion, relationship and time in prayer. I think all Christians often need to begin again in prayer. This book is a tool to help readers do just that and to analyze their prayer lives and see where they stand. Bloom offers several ways to "experiment" with prayer, and these are useful. The main impact for me in this book is his emphasis on taking prayers seriously. He writes that if we want God to listen and act on our prayers we must pray earnestly and sincerely with thoughtfulness and heart. He adds two meditations at the end of the book. One I found instructive and one I did not find helpful. Craig Stephans, author of

Three things should be said about this book. 1) Having finished it, I immediately had the desire to reread it, fearing I'd not noticed everything Metropolitan Bloom offers us. 2) This is clearly a book that everyone can find valuable and useful, regardless of the amount of experience praying one has. 3) Perhaps intentionally, or perhaps unintentionally, this book seems to be written in a way that is acceptable to non-Orthodox Christians (though his Orthodoxy is tangible to people familiar with Orthodoxy). That being so, this would certainly be a good gift for seekers or those interested in Orthodoxy.

I am not sure why I had not reviewed this book years ago. It is one of the best books on prayer that I have ever read. The sample pages speak for themselves, so I won't repeat the content, but what I will add is that adivce like his, when put into practice, can really bring the presence and remembrance og God into your life. A true gem! Also,

I'm only at the beginning of the book, but the author had me by the time I'd read his introduction/interview. Metropolitan Anthony Bloom was a holy man, and his sheer sincerity and humility were evident in every sentence he wrote. Also, if you have never prayed before, or if you have tried it and felt as if you were addressing to no one words that only you could hear, this is the book for you.

I am reading this book for the 5th time, and I just got finished leading a study group for it. Each time I read it, it is as if it's brand new. English is not the author's first language, so some of the wording is a little choppy at first. He phrases things a bit differently than English speaking people, but once you get used to his style you can't help but be challenged and encouraged in your personal relationship with God. I think an appropriate sub-title for this book could be: How to have a personal relationship with the living God. His first chapter "The Absence of God" hits a topic that all of us have experienced at one time or another - Why does God seem so far away? I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in deepening his walk with God. Among many things, it will challenge you to be authentic before God, show you how to be still before God, and demonstrate how to live in the present moment - practicing the presence of God.

A short and simply amazing book. For Orthodox Christians, a wonderful guide for developing your relationship with God. For non-Orthodox, a beautiful and concise introduction to the Orthodox spiritual life. This book should be one of the first books that inquirers, catechumens, and other interested parties read when coming to the Orthodox Church. If your friends ask you about Orthodoxy -- hand them this book

This book is a very short and easy 114 pages. In it, Metropolitan Anthony manages to produce not only an amazingly clear exposition of Orthodox prayer life, a semi-autobiographical memoir, the beginnings of a modern Christian existential philosophy, and an excellent response to some of the more childish criticisms of religious belief - but, on the whole he produces an excellent piece of literature; full of charming motifs, impassioned narratives, icy-cold journalism, etymologies in partial jest, and mythologies in half seriousness -- All of this emeshed in tentacles of surrealist imagery. Whether you are an open-minded atheist, a growing Christian looking for practical advice from an elder at prayer, or a thoughtful and critical reader, dissatisfied with two-dimensional dogmatic answers and impatient with ethereal theological theories and jargon, here is an introduction to real Christianity from someone who is not full of it. Rather, he is quite full of humility. (You'll have to read the book to get the joke). peace, Didymous

Bishop Ware's treatment of prayer is quiet, humble, and honest, without gimmicks or bells or whistles. It's the best book on prayer I've yet read.

Anthony Bloom offers some unique and personal observations on prayer. Whether you follow Orthodoxy or not you are bound to come away with a better foundation in your own prayer life.

Great book!

I confess I have nothing to add to the eloquence with which others have written about this amazing manual; I just wanted to add my 5 stars!

I found this book to be helpful with the basics in anyone's prayer life. From the beginner to the most advanced this book thru prayer will strengthen your relationship with God. I also think this book is very well written, the author uses great analogies from life and applies them to biblical stories. This book is for you if you are looking to deepen your prayer life.

The apostle Paul tells us "we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs to deep for words." This little book by Anthony Bloom will help any person find the way to a prayer life breathed with the Spirit's life.

The book is amazing and easy for read [ASIN:0809115093 Beginning to Pray]. I am concerned about the way we pray and what we are supposed to wait from pray. The book shows that we may be searching the wrong way, and addressed me to improve may pray.

My Priest recommended this book to me as a new catechumen, and while it is short and very basic, it is also very helpful. A good book to come back to from time to time.

Good book and easy to read. Would recommend.