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Rating: Summary: crying out from the depths Review: I recently obtained a copy of "Uncommon Prayer: A Book of Psalms" by Daniel Berrigan. I have never read a book quite like it. I am glad I did...it is a book with the power to change lives. I pray it has changed mine...and that it may change yours."Uncommon Prayer" is composed essentially of three elements. The first of the elements are the poems Berrigan wrote after reflection upon selected Psalms--they form the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter also contains a reflection written by Berrigan on his poem. The third element (and an indispensable one) that makes up the book are the stunning illustrations by Robert McGovern. Some of his illustrations throttled my soul. Much of the reflection in "Uncommon Prayer" centers on human suffering and its relation to God. Subjects like life in prison and other horrors of the modern world are covered. Berrigan takes the Psalmist's ancient cries of anguish and suffering and appropriates them for our modern age. Berrigan's personal involvement with many of the areas he describes gives this book an added power. The man who writes about how horrible prison is does so because he has been there (and not "just visiting" mind you). The book was written when America was in a time of political upheaval. However, it does not, at least for me, "date itself." Instead, Berrigan's righteous passion and fervor for the oppressed and threatened stirs within me a sense of holy anger at my own quiet complacency when it comes to social justice. The most powerful chapter for me was the reflection on Psalm 130. Berrigan reflects at length on "crying out from the depths." It is a powerful statement about the God we can cry out to...especially from the depths. I won't say more. You MUST read it for yourself. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: Summary: crying out from the depths Review: I recently obtained a copy of "Uncommon Prayer: A Book of Psalms" by Daniel Berrigan. I have never read a book quite like it. I am glad I did...it is a book with the power to change lives. I pray it has changed mine...and that it may change yours. "Uncommon Prayer" is composed essentially of three elements. The first of the elements are the poems Berrigan wrote after reflection upon selected Psalms--they form the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter also contains a reflection written by Berrigan on his poem. The third element (and an indispensable one) that makes up the book are the stunning illustrations by Robert McGovern. Some of his illustrations throttled my soul. Much of the reflection in "Uncommon Prayer" centers on human suffering and its relation to God. Subjects like life in prison and other horrors of the modern world are covered. Berrigan takes the Psalmist's ancient cries of anguish and suffering and appropriates them for our modern age. Berrigan's personal involvement with many of the areas he describes gives this book an added power. The man who writes about how horrible prison is does so because he has been there (and not "just visiting" mind you). The book was written when America was in a time of political upheaval. However, it does not, at least for me, "date itself." Instead, Berrigan's righteous passion and fervor for the oppressed and threatened stirs within me a sense of holy anger at my own quiet complacency when it comes to social justice. The most powerful chapter for me was the reflection on Psalm 130. Berrigan reflects at length on "crying out from the depths." It is a powerful statement about the God we can cry out to...especially from the depths. I won't say more. You MUST read it for yourself. I highly recommend this book.
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