Prayer A Guide for the Perplexed [Hardcover]

Central to the Christian life is the practice of prayer. But what, theologically speaking, is going on when we pray? What does prayer have to do with religious belief and action? Does prayer make a difference?Prayer: A Guide for the Perplexedaddresses these and other key questions regarding the Christian theology of prayer.

Beginning with Evagrius of Ponticus's 'On Prayer', Ashley Cocksworth finds in this early document a profound expression of the 'integrity' of the experience of prayer and theological thought. Seeking throughout to integrate systematic theology and the spirituality of prayer, individual chapters explore the meaning of some of the core doctrines of lived Christian faith  the Trinity, creation, providence, and the Christian life  as they relate to the practice of prayer. Complete with an annotated bibliography of sources on prayer to promote further reading, this volume appeals to academics and general readers alike.

Introduction

1. 'Kneeling theology': Evagrius of Ponticus on prayer
2. On the 'integrity' of prayer and theology
3. 'Enlarge our minds': prayer and the Trinity
4. Christ the pray-er, Christ the prayer
5. Petition and providence
6. Being upstanding: the Christian life and the politics of prayer
Appendix  An annotated bibliography of selected sources on prayer