Review: Paths to Prayer by Patricia D. Brown (C.2003 Jossey Bass)

I bought this book a couple of years ago at a training thing and it lingered on my "to read" shelf.  I finally read it in a hospital room when there was time on my hands.  Christian Education is trying to catch up by teaching learning styles.  Christian Leadership is trying to catch up by teaching leadership styles and Patricia Brown is pitching in by applying this type of thinking to the teaching of prayer.  Most of the text is devoted to the usual; lectio divina, journaling, icons etc.  Her take on these is fresh but predictable.  On the first glance they are just the usual things with the usual jargon.  This is why it sat on my shelf for so long.  It is now on my essential shelf with Augustine and Wesley.

The jewel of "Paths"  is her simple and usable prayer style assessment.  She gives 40 question survey, at the beginning, that breaks your preferences down into four styles-Searching, Experiential, Relational and Innovative. I scored pretty close across the styles but scored highest in Innovative.  The traditional methods/technique are then categorized into these styles.  Rather than serving one prayer "dish" to everyone, she lays out a buffet by type and allows the reader to choose.  I find the book very usable and helpful in both learning and teaching the inner journey's arts.

Two things are said in the book but should be stated very strongly.  First, this is a great book for a small group but not so good for a solitary beginner.  Any disciple, whether teacher or learner, can benefit.  It is more of a technical how-to than a process of growing into prayer but that is ok, especially with the dynamic of a covenant group.  The book is what it is meant to be.  This leads to the second important point-"Paths" gives the reader a starting point in discovering or deepening Christian prayer in the life of a Christian disciple.  This is a crucial element in living.  However, simply knowing your style is not the end goal but a thoughtful place to take stock and ask yourself where you are in Christ and where are you going.

For those who are not Christian, the book still has value.  Though we may not agree on the Christ we can agree on the connection that comes through prayer.  Prayer is something we can agree on, in other words.  The book gives a Christian perspective on spiritual practice and it meets my needs as such.  Perhaps this book also brings a touch-point for those within the diversity of the Christian faith as well as those who do not embrace it at all.  May it bring a dialog on the life in Christ to us all.