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lanceschaubert's review
5.0
A great companion to the real book of common prayer, this volume modernizes the daily morning liturgy, organizing it more like a daily devotional and less on the church calendar. Because of this, it will help return us to the holy days.
sarahinthesun's review
4.0
This is a great prayer book. It is meant for small groups, house churches and families. I love to use it by my self too because of its language and focus.
ehays84's review
5.0
Now is as good of a time to review this as any. Always tough to review a devotional, because you never really "finish" it, but Amy and used this for much of the summer and really enjoyed it. We both love prayer books, and have a big collection and have used many of them. The layout of this one is really nice, and it is really easy to use. I also like its blending of both ancient and modern as well as its high church and low church traditions. Well done, and may God continue to bless Claiborne and the Ordinary Radicals movement.
drbobcornwall's review
5.0
I am enjoying this book. It is an excellent resource for prayer -- both personal and corporate. It's developed for use within the New Monastic Communities. I'll give a fuller review later.
davehershey's review
4.0
This book gets four stars just for the scope - prayers for every single morning of the year! If you are wanting to get into the tradition of fixed hour prayer (there are also midday and evening prayers on a weekly rotation) this book could be a help.
Claiborne, and the other authors, are part of the New Monasticism, emphasizing discipleship to Jesus as entailing things like poverty and nonviolence. These emphases shine through, though they do bring in voices from all Christian traditions.
The only qualm is that some of the persons quoted (or not quoted) and events noted (or not noted) are questionable. On October 31 there is no mention of Reformation day or Martin Luther. I don't think this means they are anti-reformation as I recall quotes at times from other Reformers. Also, they note various historical events, some that do not paint the USA in a good light. This is not surprising as one of Claiborne's big themes is that all nations are imperfect, if not evil. But perhaps the anti-America bent too greatly colors, if not politicizes, the book. August 6th we read of the US bombing of Hiroshima, but on December 7th there is no mention of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
I think these are minor issues, which is why I still give the book four stars. The authors did an admirable job of compiling quotes and prayers from people throughout the wide breadth of the Christian tradition. I believe this book will enrich your prayer life and put you in communion with Christians who have gone before.
Claiborne, and the other authors, are part of the New Monasticism, emphasizing discipleship to Jesus as entailing things like poverty and nonviolence. These emphases shine through, though they do bring in voices from all Christian traditions.
The only qualm is that some of the persons quoted (or not quoted) and events noted (or not noted) are questionable. On October 31 there is no mention of Reformation day or Martin Luther. I don't think this means they are anti-reformation as I recall quotes at times from other Reformers. Also, they note various historical events, some that do not paint the USA in a good light. This is not surprising as one of Claiborne's big themes is that all nations are imperfect, if not evil. But perhaps the anti-America bent too greatly colors, if not politicizes, the book. August 6th we read of the US bombing of Hiroshima, but on December 7th there is no mention of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
I think these are minor issues, which is why I still give the book four stars. The authors did an admirable job of compiling quotes and prayers from people throughout the wide breadth of the Christian tradition. I believe this book will enrich your prayer life and put you in communion with Christians who have gone before.
ben_smitty's review
2.0
A little too social-justicey for a prayer book. Because of its emphasis on prayers for racial reconciliation, end of class oppression, etc., the liturgy tends to become a little overbearing. To add to this weight, Claiborne has decided to negate confession-absolution altogether for morning prayer (which is the majority of this book). Rather than receiving the comforting and liberating words of the Gospel, the reader is reminded frequently of her unearned privilege (if she happens to be white or middle class), which is a guilt she cannot confess and a sin she does not receive forgiveness for.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good liberation theology. It just becomes toxic when it's liturgical, or when it replaces Jesus' invitation for all to come eat at his table.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good liberation theology. It just becomes toxic when it's liturgical, or when it replaces Jesus' invitation for all to come eat at his table.
hem's review
4.0
After a year, I'm not putting this one down quite yet. It has added a level of much-needed richness and rhythm to my prayer life.
nicoletwalters's review against another edition
4.0
I've come back to this book in various forms over the past few years. I use the app but my favorite is the audio book. I know the liturgy is meant for community but I don't have a community to practice it with right now. So, I immerse myself in the sounds and pray right along, especially when I am feeling the most isolated. These words ground me and are always timely prayers. It isn't a read through kind of book but is one that has become part of my life.