Book Review: Excellent book by Andre Louf on prayer and the heart--beautiful--'Teach us to Pray'

by Peter Menkin

Andre Louf

This is a lovely book on prayer and the heart. The copy I own is by a different publisher, and I purchased it used for what is probably a pretty good sum. Not like $50, but still for a used book this was a harder to find one. It was worth the money to me, and I sometimes go back to it from time to time.

Usually, I don’t quote from the very beginning of a book, but this from the introduction, right at the start, tells a lot about the title:

“The purpose of this short book is to do just a little to appease the hunger for prayer; a hunger to be found here, there and everywhere in these days.”

The subtitle of the Darton, longman and Todd publisher’s version that I own now was owned previously by a nun. I found that worthwhile and interesting, especially since she had marked up various lines with a yellow marker. They may not have always been my choice, but I liked hers and it added an additional dimension to the reading of the book translated by Hubert Hoskins.



Anchorite, photo by Henry Worthy, Oblate Cam Osb,
(unknown location Europe)

 The book is a personal testimony by the author, a former monastery Abbot and a man of the heart and other matters. Is this also a book of the psyche, I think so, for it asks the reader to go places in prayer and to know he or she can approach God in this manner. Here is one of those highlightings by my previous book owner, and I think she’s chosen a good quote from the part on cosmic prayer:

“That you have become a free human being, that your heart has begun to live and to sing, that the word of God is able to reverberate freely and frankly in your inmost centre, is a source of light and power for anyone.”

There are other dimensions to prayer one uncovers in this book, and I was so moved by the work as to be inspired to write a poem. Here is the poem:

Mr. de Wolf’s hope…
Peter Menkin

Something awakened
his heart,
becoming inner chamber,
place of prayer.


Who could know, even
when it occurred
aware of this–
striving with the spirit,
not striving with the spirit.


How could one know?
Mr. de Wolf became
a knowing man of prayer
in Church. Later he
reflects, that was
my hope.



Two old monks in contemplation
photo by Henry Worthy, Oblate Cam OSB
(unknown location Europe)

 That we come to know something of God is a matter of approachability of God, and the book is encouraging in this matter. What does prayer do. According to Andre Louf, “It cleanses people and things. It lays their deep centre bare; and in so doing prayer restores and heals the creation…every prayer is always related with blessing; and it will normally overflow into eucharistia, thanksgiving.”

Here are some of the quotes highlighted by my unknown previous owner of the used book, “Teach Us to Pray.”

• “The living spirit of God is the fount of prayer in us.”
• “Deep within Jesus, the Will of the Father was at one with His most fervent longing to pray.”
• “…this meeting between the Word and the heart of a man is of one cannot say how much greater importance.”

There is a discussion of the Psalms in this beautiful book, and I say beautiful because of the topics and the manner of handling. One gets the unwritten idea that God loves us and that he is generous, and forgiving, that we can enter into private and public prayer with Him. The Psalms are for public prayer, and also “For many faithful people they are a source of inspiration and the means of nurturing their silent, interior prayer.”

For the religious man or woman this worthwhile book will be a lovely addition to a private library or sharing with a friend. Though a little expensive because it is harder to find, it is worth the money to many especially one who has an interest in religious reading and reading about prayer. I have given the book five stars. I recommend this small book, mine about 107 pages and know you, too, may find yourself returning to it from time to time.

Audio reading of the book review as read by its author Peter Menkin:

This book review appears on The Church of England Newspaper, London website where it was posted in 2011. It was written and originally appeared on the web in 1995, with the audio reading added for Church of England Newspaper, London in 2011.

Lutheran Bible found in Wisconsin Church--340 year old Bible

by Peter Menkin

Missouri, USA writer Linda Hoops reports an original, 340-year old Lutheran Bible was found in a Church in Wisconsin, stumbled upon by a sixth grade teacher. She writes in the official newspaper of the Missouri Synod—Lutheran Church—“Reporter:” What she [Debra Court of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bonduel] found was a 1,500-page copy of Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible printed in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1670.

Local and national radio and television stations told of the story, as did print publications, noting “…the Bible was brought to the attention of Rev. Timothy Shoup, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. “Thinking it was probably from the 1800s, I let it sit in my office for months before taking a closer look,” he said.” The “Reporter” offers this quotation from the Bonduel St. Paul Lutheran Church, “Shoup says the congregation hopes to keep the Bible long enough to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2013 and possibly permanently. The church plans to create a climate-controlled display case for it.

“It would be nice to allow God’s people to enjoy this precious book for generations to come,” Shoup said. “This particular Bible is important because it marks time, how God has chosen to speak His same grace into our hearts in all times, in 2011 or in 1670, from one continent to another.”

Lyle Buettner, who works in Special Collections at Concordia Seminary Library, said he believes the Bible is one of about 40 remaining copies known to exist in the world. Buettner said the illustrations were also impressive. He told news reporters “Each time I see an illustration like this [of the Augsburg Confessions], I just think of how beautiful it looks and how much of a labor of love it must have been for the person who actually drew it.”

Reports said that church officials don’t know how they got the book and no one seems to remember how it got into the safe. Many of the church elders have been asked but nobody seems to recall ever hearing of the existence of the piece of church history. So reports Kim I Hartman in a related article elsewhere.

The Reverend Timothy Shoup, pastor, says the Bible weighs 20 pounds and that he spoke with a St. Paul Seminary library to confirm the genuiness of the Bible, valued as $1,000 to $1,500. The discovery put the town of Bonduel, some 25 miles northwest of Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the map along with the pastor, sixth grade teacher, and Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.

The “Reporter” article by the Sunset Hills, Missouri writer Hoops describes one illustration in this remarkably preserved book: The illustrations in the Bible, created through copper etchings that served as the template for the printing process, show “incredible detail,” Shoup said. The last pages of the Bible feature a two-page spread depicting the signing of the Augsburg Confession with each person in the picture identified by a number. The following page lists the numbers and identifies the corresponding person by name.

Pastor Shoup told one television station, “When I did open it up and looked at the title page I saw the roman numerals at the bottom–I kept coming up with 1670 and I concluded whatever that is I’ve got it added up wrong.” Shoup contacted Concordia Seminary Library in St. Louis, and their librarian confirmed the date as what Pastor Shoup thought.

Lyle Buettner, the library’s special collections cataloger, said only about 40 copies of Luther’s Bible are known, though it’s likely many more are undocumented. Copies of the 340-year-old Bible can be found in various libraries in Germany and the United States, including the seminary’s. Reporter Hoops goes on to describe the books physically:

The Bible is big by today’s standards — 17.5 inches long, 11.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches thick — and weighs 20 pounds. It has pigskin binding with brass corners and clasps and contains a copy of the Augsburg Confession, the principal doctrinal statement of the theology of the Lutheran reformers as presented to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at Augsburg, Germany, on June 25, 1530.

When teacher Court first saw the Lutheran Bible, published in German, she thought it was just an old book and didn’t think much about it, according to FOX news. “I was looking for the old baptism records to show my students and then up here in the corner was where the Bible was tucked,” said Court.

Interview: Arizona Shooting USA...Rector of Anglo-Catholic Church in Tucson talks of the tragedy and events of that Day

by Peter Menkin

St. Michael and All Angels, Anglo-Catholic Church, Tucson, Arizona USA

What follows is a conversation over the phone to Arizona from California with The Reverend John Smith of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to learn his thoughts on the Tucson, Arizona shooting: His Anglo-Catholic parish is located in Tucson.


QUESTIONS

Father John Smith

1. Father John, as an Episcopal Priest and Rector you are the spiritual leader of your congregation and a member of the larger Episcopal Church and Christian Community in the Tucson, Arizona area. Please tell us something about your Church: if it is located near the Shooting in Tucson, and what you were doing on the day of the shooting of United States Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by alleged would-be-assassin Jared Loughner.

St. Michael and all Angels Episcopal Church is located on the East side of Tucson, and the shooting was located on the northwest side of Tucson. Our Church is about 7 miles from the site. We’re a church of about 225 households, founded in 1953.

It’s an Adobe structure that was a parochial mission of St. Philips of the Hills. That’s the largest Episcopal Church in Tucson. There are 7 Episcopal Churches in Tucson. The style is reminiscent of San Miguel of Santa Fe, New Mexico. (It was done by a famous architect Josias Josler.)

On January 8, I had celebrated the daily Eucharist at 8:30am; that day it was a funeral and afterwards I visited with the family at the reception. We have a meditation group that meets at 9:15am. We were having a visit by a Buddhist Monk at that time, so I went to visit after the reception and went to meet the monk.

When I arrived, he was doing a question-and-answer session. It was about 10:10am. I asked the first question: What we can do to foster an end to violence and war in the world? In the West we have the song, “Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.” The monk responded: It’s most important we find peace within ourselves and hold that peace within us and not let anything take it away from us.

Alleged Shooter, Jared Loughner

In doing that we have the possibility of expanding the peace within to others. It is often the case…we give up our peace when something bad happens to us, he said. I say the same things to our people in every service, I said. I say “The Peace of the Lord be with you,” and people take in that peace of Christ. And we must hold onto it and bring that peace to others.

At that moment, talking about ending violence and war, the tragedy was in progress. So we were talking about this topic right as shots were killing and wounding people.

How I found out the shooting, was my wife called me–and Gabby Giffords is a friend and has helped with immigration issues, and Ron Barber who was injured was in our parish to talk about the same issues.


2. Many readers will not know what Anglo-Catholic is and how it fits within the Anglican Communion. Give us a flavor of the Anglo-Catholic Anglican sense of worship and belief—even its matters of faith itself.

Anglo-Catholic has described the worship at St. Michael and All Angels for years. St. Michaels and All Angels is with the Episcopal Church USA and the worldwide Anglican communion–it consists of sung worship, chants, and the use of sacramentals like holy water and incense. It is sometimes called high liturgy. Worship-wise we have special devotion to the Mother of the God, which roots us in the Incarnation and leads to a strong outreach to the world and social justice.

Congresswoman Giffords

3. When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated, Ronald Reagan shot though not assassinated, so many people remember their first minutes of learning of the actions. Tell us what your thoughts as a man of faith were in those first few minutes of learning about the shooting of the Arizona Congresswoman? Did you take a moment to pray or speak to God?

When I hung up with my wife, I was sad and began to pray to maintain the peace of Christ that I had before hearing the news. And then sought to get more information about what had happened.


4. When horrific things happen, we ask: How could God have let this happen? Why did this happen? And as it is described in popular lexicon, Why do bad things happen to good people? Please comment.


Colonel Giffords, Gabrielle's husband

God–out of love--was willing to take a great risk in creating us with free will. And we can use that will to hurt other people. God took the risk. The young man, Jared, had a pretty normal childhood. He was an only son. He was well liked by adults around him, as an only son you end up relating to adults all the time. But he was teased by his peers at school. And in our society, we say, Be a man.

And I was reflecting in a sermon recently that blessed are the meek–we don’t like meekness. It is not honored in our society. So a young man with serious problems shows his manhood. He showed how he was a man instead of being accepted for who he was. And good people were killed and injured because of this young man had to prove to himself and the world that he was a man. His parents, we’ve learned, knew nothing of what he was going through. They are devastated. But as the Prologue to John’s Gospel tells us: The Light came into the world, and the darkness could not overcome it.

5. Do you think the man who allegedly shot Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the others was acting as a representative of evil, or even the devil was involved in this kind of work in the world? I know many believers scoff at this kind of theory of evil, but what can you offer us as words of solace in the midst of all this grief, evil surprise, and terror of act?

Evil is not merely a projection of our minds, but is real. As Paul said, We contend with the principalities and powers. At St. Michael’s and All Angels we talk about Angels a lot. The Angels that rebelled against God and Michael were driven out of God’s presence, are able to suggest to our free will actions that divide people and hurt others. This action seemed to be brewing in the troubled mind of Jared. Evil looks for these types of openings.

Some might say, Evil is just a projection of our minds. But I believe temptation is real. There was an opening in this young man’s mind for evil to say: Go ahead with this plan. But, as has been seen in the response of the people of Tucson and around the world: God’s light has shone through this horrible tragedy.

There are three large memorials to the tragic loss–covered with votive candles as symbols of God’s light. There are candles of Jesus, of Mary, of St. Michael. There are prayer cards, signs–well-wishing at three locations: the Safeway Store, University Medical Center, and at Congresswoman Gabby Gifford’s Tucson office.

Did you preach on the subject, and will you let us into knowing what you told your flock or some of your congregation regarding the matter—even a few words about the alleged shooter himself, the young man Jared Loughner.

It’s interesting, I was in Mexico on Sunday doing an Epiphany project with the Rotary Club that I belong to, and the priest that took my place gave a sermon on darkness never overcoming the light of Christ. On the two subsequent Sundays and also at the daily celebrations of the Eucharist, I talked with the congregation about this tragic situation. Regarding Jared himself, and his alleged act, he is not beyond redemption.


7. Do you think that being a member of a Church or Synagogue helps people to be more peaceful, turns them away from the kind of confusion and act of criminal work that this young man is alleged to have perpetrated? One time when phoning you from just north of San Francisco where I live and work, I learned you were unavailable because you were visiting a parishioner who was in prison.

Yes, if we take the peace of Christ in and hold it in our hearts, even when we are confused or hurt in some way. It is most helpful to not let go of peace when we are rocked by tragedy and loss. God is in control.

The prisoner is not really a parishioner of mine–both his parents have died . They asked me to visit their son on death row. They came to a mission church I served in the town of Florence, where the State Prison is located. I have seen over the years he has come to a real conversion to Christ. His appeals continue to go on; maybe his case will be reviewed for new evidence, but right now, though, he is sentenced to death—on death row for over 23 years.

What’s brought about the conversion in him is Love—Love is the only thing that can change us for the better.


8. Forgiveness and charity in this situation with its uncommon events requires a note of advice or faith that is extra special. So I think. With a favorite Congresswoman shot in the head and beginning rehabilitation presently– alone a shocking matter–and the deaths of others, including a Federal Judge, is not the whole matter made so much more shocking and detestable by the killing of a nine year old girl. What do you say to this, and is it proper timing so early in the life of the events to even think of forgiveness?

Shooting Victim

It’s never too early to think of forgiveness. And true forgiveness is never an easy thing. It takes an act of our own will to enter into God’s mercy and love for the object of our forgiveness.

9. That ends the questions on my part. Is there anything this writer missed, or something you want to say additionally at this time?

The citizens of Tucson are healing from the tragedy. President Obama’s visit helped in this healing. I’m thinking of an Anglican Bishop who was once asked to give a summary of Christian faith in one sentence: “God is; God is as He is in Jesus; therefore we have hope.”

Disciples of Christ General Minister Sharon Watkins preaches about Arizona Shooting, USA

by Peter Menkin

Sharon Watkins

The General Minister of Disciples of Christ told her membership she was in the Chapel in the morning of January 10, 2011 at their Disciples Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, regarding the Arizona shooting. Sharon Watkins observed a moment of silence as called for by President Obama “to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.”

After the silence, there were brief prayers. She said in a press notice,”…we join hearts and prayers across the church…”

The Reverend Doctor said in her blog, January 10, 2011–reflection titled, “God’s Heart was the first to Break”:

God’s heart was the first to break – when one young man decided to pull the trigger and when his victims began to fall. Now a nation is in shock and grief. We are reminded again how fleeting is life and how enduring the patterns of human nature, both for good and for harm. A US Representative known for her openness, kindness, and care; a child at the very budding of her incredible promise; a deacon and pillar of his local congregation putting his own body between his wife and the shooter . . . In all 20 persons dead or wounded by one very broken young man. In times like these people of faith turn to God who made us, who loves us still, and we ask, “Why?”

This American based denomination’s response is called a calming response to the tragedy.In the General Minister’s reflection she notes significant points of contrition and self-examination:

■prayers of praise to God who intends that life would be good and who walks closely with us when it is not;

■prayers of confession of our own tendency to vilify our enemies and to fear those we do not understand;

■prayers of petition for healing for those wounded in the attack, for the families and friends of those who have died, for the family of the man who shot them – and for him;

■prayers for our leaders – spiritual and political – that they will have clear minds and pure hearts, leading the way in cleansing our national political dialogue of hatred, disrespect, and personal attack.

As a note of interest, Disciples of Christ member Christy Moore commented on the reflection published to their Church Website, “Your response was Godly, timely and much needed for our nation and for our faith family as we search for answers. Directing us once again to the Throne of God, we will certainly, and as always, find the peace, hope and healing that we all seek.”

The Reverend Jefferson Beeker added his observations after reading the General Ministers comments, saying in full:

I too am saddened by the senselessness of this action.


However, this is NOT about political discourse, who is right and who is wrong, Tea Party, Fascists, or anything other than this is an individual who is suffering from a psychosis, most likely schizophrenia, and is not being treated.


After the healing process begins, our focus should not be on the political or societal “reason” that this happened and it should be on the poor mental health care that we have in the US. My son is a paranoid schizophrenic and while he is not violent, I have seen his ranting and writings when he is off of his medications. It is totally incomprehensible.


My prayer for recovery of those affected both directly and indirectly is offered as we need healing. But my prayer continues that we as a nation recognize that there are mentally ill persons among us and they need treatment. In some cases we need to force treatment although this is not allowed by law. Most likely this is a mentally ill individual has the same illness as the assassin of John Lennon and the attempted assassin of President Reagan.


There is no easy answer but this will happen again. This type of tragedy happens regularly in cities and towns across the US, it is just happens not as high of a profile as this tragedy.


Thanks for your calming words.

Thomas W. Shane, Doctor of Divinity, added his voice in prayers to the reflection, demonstrating a characteristic of the Church in their response to others and to leadership on issues of tragic concern:

In this world of chaos and hopelessness, this is a time when all Christians and others need to stand together and pray for the people. This young man has lost his way…we as a praying and caring people should pray that we all find God’s grace and mercy in this time of tragedy. Let’s pray for the victims, for the families of the victims, and for the young man who did such a horrible deed and for his family …only in God’s grace can we find healing and forgiveness…I pray God’s grace for us all.

It is evident in the fervor and heartfelt response of those commenting on the reflection that the spirit of the Church and of course the spirit of the God, of its members, and in the spirit of its head Jesus Christ, is reflected in their words, as they find Christ. This writer found Janet Ehrmantraut remarks particularly revealing and touching:

Thank you Sharon for your tender compassionate approach to this tragedy. Inclusive prayers for all touched by this wanton taking of humane productive life — including a nine year young girl of “incredible promise” — all six murdered lives and numerous injured including US Congresswoman Gabriella Giffords, all daughters & sons of a grieving God, of grieving families & personal loved ones of the killed and injured… and including prayers for the troubled Jared Lee Loughner, his family, and prayers for our nation.


Thank you also for your wisdom in not rushing to assign blame for this tragic event. There will be ample opportunity to sort out the dynamics that led Mr. Loughner to his horrific act. In the meantime, as you suggest, we can immediately “*act* — as Body of Christ and individually members of it” — to insure that we behave and speak in such a manner, that we help nurture to wellness & wholeness, those who for whatever reason of instability, may not be able to sufficiently distinguish between metaphoric speech and literalistic speech, *and* that in every respect as disciples/Disciples of Christ, we seek to incarnate as individuals and a community — “a movement for wholeness and healing and hope” that leaves God’s creation, a more gentle loving *divine milieu* as a result of our present journey.


Thanks for your gift of ministry and leadership for the CC(Dof) and beyond.

Update and note: The title phrase comes from William Sloane Coffin’s eulogy for his 24 year old son, Alex, who was killed in a car accident. Coffin’s exact words were: “God’s heart was the first of all our hearts to break.”


–General Minister



The church is identified with the Protestant “mainstream” and is widely involved in social and other concerns. Disciples have supported vigorously world and national programs of education, agricultural assistance, racial reconciliation, care of the developmentally disabled and aid to victims of war and calamity.

The denomination now counts about 700,000 members in the United States and Canada in about 3,700 congregations. Numerically, the strength of the Disciples of Christ runs in a broad arc that sweeps from Ohio and Kentucky through the Midwest and down into Oklahoma and Texas.