PEARLS OF PRAYER
Prayer With A Monastic Flair
The Twelve-Step Prayer Journey
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls.” Revelation 21:21
Marilyn Harley Irick
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or email: marilynirick@aol.com
The Pearls Of Prayer is a twelve-step prayer journey biblically guiding the soul into a spiritual communication of God’s beautiful treasure. It is designed for those who are ultimately seeking a deeper level in the mystical and sacred communication with the master of the universe, our triune God. The chapters include a unique sequence of twelve steps, (the First Pearl through the Twelfth Pearl), which constructively moves the reader through various types of prayer methods.

There are three major expressions in the life of prayer comprised by Christian tradition, they are: vocal, meditation, and contemplative. The vocal prayer allows the church, as a community, to hear and offer to God praise and thanks. The prayer of meditation permits the individual to silently ponder God and draw visually closer to His goodness. Contemplative prayer, most often called “the prayer of the heart,” is a prayer for deeper listening within one’s inner being, obtained through silence, and driven with the desire to love God. The third major expression, contemplative prayer, is encouraged for daily use. The religious describe this style of prayer more of a divine intimacy between God and man, giving it what some call a 'monastic flair.’ It has become the devotional method that monks as well as cloistered nuns and lay people have developed for transforming their traditional values of prayer into simple and tranquil techniques called “centering prayer.” Even in today’s modern society we are filled with interest in the way the religious monks and nuns live out their lives, as they gravitate with free rein, reverencing God through continual prayer and reflection. Centering is the prayer method that most captures the essence of God; seemingly it complements the heart. It is an inner work that simulates the pearl of great price, and worth all that you do to attain it.

The theme of the pearl is derived from the Gospel’s parable of the Goodly Pearl. This concept places the reader in a position for becoming the worthy gem, a pearl of great price, that can be utilized by prayers that function best for his or her personal needs. The meaning and purpose of prayer, with its designated place and scheduled times help to apply a holy, pious communication in one’s daily life. To read a prayer is not enough: it takes practice, fortitude, patience and love.

As you seek God and apply the suggested formulas you’ll discover the knowledge that you’ve been called to prayer. This will enhance the search for putting the sacred words of your prayers into action. “The Pearls Of Prayer” impels you to better understand the nature of God and the prayer exercises can form effective communication towards a beautiful treasure on the sacred path to your “pearls of prayer.”

The “Pearls Of Prayer” concludes with additional pages for personal journaling and illuminating phrases for the reader to reflect on spiritual thoughts. Keeping a journal of holy writings introduces a more comfortable and relaxed approach to building your confidence for embracing another manner of devout prayer.
As we search for the mystical beauty of treasure in our day, it is He, God, who finds us within our prayers! In silent prayer listening, in the stillness of our hearts, we will find that God is conversing with us too!

marilynirick@aol.com

Don't miss reading this book, the 'Pearls Of Prayer' you'll call it your famous guide to mystical treasure. Learn more about Contemplative Prayer, also called "the prayer of the heart", added are additional instructions for accomplishing a deeper union with God by using Contemplative prayer, the traditional way to pray, and is accelerated with simple techniques of the more modernized version of Centering Prayer.” The twelve gates were twelve pearls.” Revelation 21:21

Far too often, routine robs prayer of its life-shaking power. Our minds wander. Words come out mechanically. Lack of focus and inspiration keeps us from effectively communicating with God. We know the importance of praying earnestly and wholeheartedly, but sometimes we falter.

Happily, there are those who can guide us. Taking the motif of the pearl from Matthew, the Revelation of St. John, and other parts of the Bible, Marilyn Harley Irick introduces Christians to twelve ways of invigorating daily prayer. From creating a sanctuary in the home, to incorporating color and powerful symbols into prayers, Pearls of Prayer offers readers opportunities to expand their devotional techniques and intensify their contact with God.

Rather than obscure or modify traditional habits, Marilyn finds startling, useful ways to strengthen them, including group activities. A labyrinth, for instance, is an ancient symbol of man’s journey from Earth to Heaven; Marilyn suggests that we make mazes for one another at home or church, filling them with tokens of faith and religious verses, and then walk through them, reflecting on the meaning of each item we come across.

Pearls of Prayer does not overwhelm or command, but suggests and guides. Marilyn’s zealous, expressive prose radiates confidence and faith, and her enthusiasm for prayer is contagious. This is not a book to read, but one to use. Now LET US PRAY!