Sister Wendy on Prayer: Biographical Introduction by David Willcock
Ebook
For the first time, here is the story of Sister Wendy's life, along with her personal reflections on prayer.
Sister Wendy, who has been dedicated to a life of prayer for more than half a century, has always resisted writing a book on the subject. Her reasons mix humility with a conviction that prayer is simple: books about prayer can be a dangerous distraction. Yet, when she does speak about prayer, often in response to the questions of ordinary people, she does so with an eloquence that speaks directly to her hearers in ways that make practical sense.
Now, in her older age, Sister Wendy is willing to set down some of what she has learnt over a lifetime in a series of meditations. The format of the book is deliberately non-linear: where prayer is concerned, Sister Wendy says, it is simply a matter of trying to turn to God as honestly as the person you are in the circumstances you find yourself in.
Her co-author, David Willcock, who has worked with Sister Wendy for many years producing her television programmes, adds to her text a biographical sketch about being a nun and at the same time one of the art world's most acute and revered commentators and a TV personality.
Illustrating this unique book are a dozen pieces of artwork: no book by Sister Wendy would be complete without this dimension.
For the first time, here is the story of Sister Wendy's life, along with her personal reflections on prayer.
Sister Wendy has a huge and loyal following through her books and TV appearances
At least two of her books about art have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide ie 'Sister Wendy's book of Saints' and 'Sister Wendy's book of Painting'.
A book of profound spirituality, yet accessible to a broad audience of believers and non-believers alike
Introduction - Sister Wendy
Biographical introduction - David Willcock
Section 1: The Practice of Prayer
Prayer and humanity
Your unique prayer
Simple prayer
Practical prayer
Prayer in life
Silence
Prayer will never get in the way
Prayer and wholeness
The Our Father
Levels of prayer
Perseverance
Providence
The name of Jesus
Does prayer 'work'?
Suffering
Tiepolo's 'St Agatha'
Prayer requests
Section 2: Prayer and Belief
Do you need religion?
The Sacrament
The Scriptures
The Crucifixion - El Greco
Don't talk, do
'God'
Art and Prayer
Icon of Mother and Child Belief and understanding
Why aren't Christians better people?
We know that the world is not right
Admirable atheists
Choice not feelings
Doubts
No reward for prayer
Section 3: Prayer and Personality
Confucius and prayer
The fullness of life
Humility
Being human
Prayer and sin
Self-deception
Helplessness
Guilt
Reconciliation
Forgiveness
Deadly sins
Virtue
Passion
Faith
Hope
Peace
Peace II
Penance
Holiness
A down-to-earth book on prayer...attractively-printed, some 130 pages are devoted to the subject of prayer and is ideally suited to being dipped into, perhaps daily.
[I]t is at the same time practical and profound, giving an insight into the challenging way of praying which allows God to 'take possession of you'.
A book to treasure and learn from.
This is a book full of insights and common sense, with something to say to everyone.
[Sister Wendy] has written a beautiful book on prayer...Like her programmes on art, it is written with great clarity, kindness and wisdom. It makes encouraging reading for anyone with a glimmer of faith as well as for those who spirituality is more profound...Sister Wendy on Prayer is a book of many treasures which I am sure will become a classic.
Sister Wendy is a wonderful ambassador for our faith...Learned, insightful and funny - she has reached an audience of millions...She has now written a beautiful book on prayer, which...is written with great clarity, kindness and wisdom.
...a beautifully produced book, laid out in a way that makes the content accessible to readers who might otherwise be daunted by the subject.
Sister Wendy on Prayer is a fairly slim book...I, for one, found the new book helpful. While the idea is simple it is by no means simplistic. Her point is that people with little time for prayer can nevertheless be prayerful, and for people who live busy lives, that is very reassuring to hear.
- Title: Sister Wendy on Prayer: Biographical Introduction by David Willcock
- Author: Sister Wendy Beckett
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Continuum
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781408183465, 9780826483898, 0826483895, 1408183463
- Resource ID: LLS:9781408183465
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-12T09:52:18Z
Sister Wendy became a nun at the age of 16, went on to live for nearly 20 years as a hermit, and then was exposed to the world in a successful television career as the 'art nun'. She was the author of over 20 books with art as the main theme. In her later years she led a cloistered life, devoted to prayer. She died in December 2018.