Meeting Prayers

Rating:
Summary: Very useful (and mundane)
Review: While Meeting Prayers does not distinguish itself with inspired introductions or prayers, it does provide solid and useful meditations to open meetings. Most are prayers only in the sense of placing the meeting in the presence of God, of reminding participants of their place in God's work (and vice versa.)

The format is generally a few lines of introduction followed by a reading - many Scriptural, many from well-known poets, a few from Anthony deMello's stories, a few from the Oxford Book of Prayers (Tennyson, Wordsworth, Teasdale...) and a smattering of other sources. Two prayers caught my attention as being unfamiliar and excellent: "For the bread that we have eaten / For the wine that we have tasted ..." from Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship and "Come, Lord Jesus, come! / Let the day come, Lord, / when our misery / will find your mercy." from Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Prayers for the end of meetings follow the same format. They are short and familiar. There are also Prayers in Anticipation of a Critical Meeting in a similar format.

While the core of the book is organized by month, in general that organization is contrived. November and December being exceptions. For most meetings one could easily select from any of the months.

For its intended use, this volume is very servicable.

Rating:
Summary: Very useful (and mundane)
Review: While Meeting Prayers does not distinguish itself with inspired introductions or prayers, it does provide solid and useful meditations to open meetings. Most are prayers only in the sense of placing the meeting in the presence of God, of reminding participants of their place in God's work (and vice versa.)

The format is generally a few lines of introduction followed by a reading - many Scriptural, many from well-known poets, a few from Anthony deMello's stories, a few from the Oxford Book of Prayers (Tennyson, Wordsworth, Teasdale...) and a smattering of other sources. Two prayers caught my attention as being unfamiliar and excellent: "For the bread that we have eaten / For the wine that we have tasted ..." from Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship and "Come, Lord Jesus, come! / Let the day come, Lord, / when our misery / will find your mercy." from Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Prayers for the end of meetings follow the same format. They are short and familiar. There are also Prayers in Anticipation of a Critical Meeting in a similar format.

While the core of the book is organized by month, in general that organization is contrived. November and December being exceptions. For most meetings one could easily select from any of the months.

For its intended use, this volume is very servicable.