The Divine Hours : Prayers for Summertime--A Manual for Prayer

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Summary: The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime
Review: This book of Liturgy of Hours has great possibility. I especially like the translation of the Psalms. However, the HUGE amount of strong masculine language for God throughout is a limitation in my mind. A more accurate translation of the various titles for God i.e., Holy One, El Shaddai, truer to the Hebrew, etc. might draw a broader audience. I would not choose to use this for personal or group prayer without "re-translating" the God-language. I realize this is controversial but the day is gone when the dominant metaphor for God is masculine. An inclusive edition of this book would be well received.

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Summary: A Literate Dialog With God
Review: This book of prayers (one of three volumes covering daily prayer for a year) taken in large measure from the Bible is a wonderful prompt in one's life-long conversation with God. It helps one come to words one didn't realize one meant or hadn't the aptitude to say before one began using it in one's daily devotions. In addition to Scripture, it employs prayers from "The Book of Common Prayer" and other standard resources. But one particularly delights in the additional readings taken from a wide range of meditative and inspirational literature. Examples are "Pied Beauty," by Gerard Manley Hopkins and "The Sacrament of the Present Moment," by Jean Pierre de Caussade. What a remarkable contribution to one's spiritual life!

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Summary: Good idea, but...
Review: When I first saw and purchased this book I was very excited over the whole idea of bringing back the Daily Office. I love her use of KJV, New Jerusalem Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, as well as various hymns, prayers and works like the Imitation of Christ. One thing missing, however, is the Apostle's Creed and Magnificat, both common prayers used in this form. So, I am a bit disappointed now. A good idea, gone slightly astray.