Challenges in Prayer: A Classic with a New Introduction

Basil Pennington was a spiritual master who also experienced the difficulties of persevering in prayer. In this work he shares profound yet practical ideas from the Catholic tradition on facing the challenges of prayer. Those familiar with Pennington's works will greatly appreciate his down-to-earth style. All who want to build a regular prayer-life and delve more deeply into the practice of centering prayer will find much to ponder in these pages. This book, originally published 20 years ago, continues to guide students of prayer.

This Slender Volume of Teaching on Prayer covers the essential whys, wherefores, and how-tos of prayer as they have been traditionally understood by Christians, all presented in a concise and lively style adapted to today's pray-er.

In this book, the late Abbot M. Basil Pennington covers such practical topics as time and posture; the more disturbing things, like dryness and distractions; and guides one through petition and praise to the crowning rest of contemplation. While lesser teachers and exemplars are brought forth, whole chapters are dedicated to the two supreme models of prayer and the source of our graces of prayer: our divine master, Jesus, and his holy mother, Mary.

Abbot Basil, a man whose entire life was devoted to prayer, completed the final revisions of this book shortly before his untimely death.

M. Basil Pennington, OCSO (1931-2005), the Trappist monk known worldwide for his efforts to help the Church re-find its contemplative dimension through the Centering Prayer movement, was admired as a speaker, teacher, and author. Pennington published more than sixty books and 1,000 articles.