Kneeling with Giants : Learning to Pray with History's Best Teachers

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 Avila: 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
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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
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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.
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