In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson

In writing that flows with the easy tone of a comfortable coffee date with an old friend, Robert Benson unwinds the mysterious ancient practice of fixed hour prayer. Intermingling an acknowledgement of the daily and awe of the divine, Mr. Benson introduces modern readers to the origins of this sacred discipline and its value and application to modern life.

I found myself frequently reaching for a highlighter or folding over page corners to mark particularly lyrical and striking truths, and smiling at the humble confidences of an author who does not pretend to have mastered his subject with perfection. For readers unfamiliar with his subject, Benson introduces with simplicity the tenets of fixed hour prayer and answers the obvious question of how to get started.

I especially enjoyed two profound ideas in this work. First, the realization that prayer and praise are not necessarily for our benefit. They exist and we are called to practice them primarily for God's honor, glory and pleasure.

Second, the act of consistently orienting our lives around fixed prayer times and regularly repeated prayers conditions our souls to be and remain open to the glory and power of the Lord.

I will be sharing this book with friends, passing it along with the highest recommendation.