Prayer, becoming
 |
Description
Book Introduction
“My prayer journey is a journey in which a person who did not pray began to pray, and a journey in which a person who prayed gradually ‘became’ a praying person.
To be a prayer is not to accomplish something by striving for it, but to become an empty vessel for God's grace while remaining quietly in His presence.
The subject of prayer is me, but the subject of prayer is the Holy Spirit.
That's when God works."
There is also a climate within humans.
When faith grows cold, the heart becomes dry, and when anger and fear surge, the winds of the soul become harsh.
Prayer gives us breath again in that uneasy climate and brings about a new season that God breathes into us.
This book is a pilgrimage of prayer toward that season.
Believers who have been diligent in their prayer life but have suddenly felt a sense of desolation in their hearts; seminarians who want to learn deeper and more sincere prayer; pastors who have lost the motivation to pray and are struggling; young people who have turned away from prayer because the formal prayer form is unfamiliar and awkward; and those who are curious about Christian meditative prayer.
A must-read for those who feel God's absence in the midst of loss and suffering, and for those who desire a deeper relationship with God through prayer!
To be a prayer is not to accomplish something by striving for it, but to become an empty vessel for God's grace while remaining quietly in His presence.
The subject of prayer is me, but the subject of prayer is the Holy Spirit.
That's when God works."
There is also a climate within humans.
When faith grows cold, the heart becomes dry, and when anger and fear surge, the winds of the soul become harsh.
Prayer gives us breath again in that uneasy climate and brings about a new season that God breathes into us.
This book is a pilgrimage of prayer toward that season.
Believers who have been diligent in their prayer life but have suddenly felt a sense of desolation in their hearts; seminarians who want to learn deeper and more sincere prayer; pastors who have lost the motivation to pray and are struggling; young people who have turned away from prayer because the formal prayer form is unfamiliar and awkward; and those who are curious about Christian meditative prayer.
A must-read for those who feel God's absence in the midst of loss and suffering, and for those who desire a deeper relationship with God through prayer!
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Prologue: Becoming a Prayer ㆍ 6
PART 1.
Journey: Are We Good Trees? ㆍ 17
Resolution to Pray ㆍ 24
It seems like a prayer, but it's not. ㆍ 30
Staying, Healing Prayer ㆍ 37
Silence Was Not the Absence of Sound ㆍ 44
PART 2.
Is it a Discovery, a Prayer, or a Petition? ㆍ 53
Mother's Prayer ㆍ 61
I tried to live ㆍ 69
The New World of Prayer ㆍ 77
PART 3.
Walking the Olle Trail with the Jesus Prayer ㆍ 87
Prayer in the Name of Jesus ㆍ 94
Various Methods of the Jesus Prayer ㆍ 101
A Young Pilgrim's Prayer ㆍ 108
Have mercy on this sinner ㆍ 115
PART 4.
Centering prayer is Christian, so Christian
The path of pure faith
Pure prayer
Prayer for Relationships
How do I do centering prayer? (1)
How do I do centering prayer? (2)
Controlling your thoughts
PART 5.
Two Types of Present Prayer
Present Cognitive Sensitivity (1)
Present Cognitive Sensitivity (2)
Present prayer
Various Methods of Present Prayer
Presence and victory
Epilogue: The Path of Apophasis
PART 1.
Journey: Are We Good Trees? ㆍ 17
Resolution to Pray ㆍ 24
It seems like a prayer, but it's not. ㆍ 30
Staying, Healing Prayer ㆍ 37
Silence Was Not the Absence of Sound ㆍ 44
PART 2.
Is it a Discovery, a Prayer, or a Petition? ㆍ 53
Mother's Prayer ㆍ 61
I tried to live ㆍ 69
The New World of Prayer ㆍ 77
PART 3.
Walking the Olle Trail with the Jesus Prayer ㆍ 87
Prayer in the Name of Jesus ㆍ 94
Various Methods of the Jesus Prayer ㆍ 101
A Young Pilgrim's Prayer ㆍ 108
Have mercy on this sinner ㆍ 115
PART 4.
Centering prayer is Christian, so Christian
The path of pure faith
Pure prayer
Prayer for Relationships
How do I do centering prayer? (1)
How do I do centering prayer? (2)
Controlling your thoughts
PART 5.
Two Types of Present Prayer
Present Cognitive Sensitivity (1)
Present Cognitive Sensitivity (2)
Present prayer
Various Methods of Present Prayer
Presence and victory
Epilogue: The Path of Apophasis
Into the book
Even those who pray are human, so there are times when they struggle in the mire of chaos, emptiness, and darkness (Genesis 1:2) or get caught up in the whirlpool of evil emotions such as hatred and anger.
But prayer frees us from such inner negativity.
Because prayer elevates consciousness, changes the texture of the heart, and creates a new existence.
At this time, the dull daily life begins to shine.
To the one who prays, people are miracles, encounters are miracles, and work is a miracle.
Even the pain and trials of life are miracles.
Because prayer is the lock that closes the gates of hell and the key that opens the gates of heaven.
It is truly a blessing to have come to know, or rather to be able to pray, this prayer.
The very thought of a life without knowing or performing this prayer is terrifying.
Because humans are ‘homo orans’, that is, praying beings.
--- pp.26-27
In fact, I often hear that prayers are not what they used to be.
People who make such confessions also express their worries.
I wonder if my faith has weakened or become lazy….
The situation is not much different for pastors, but not many of them admit it honestly.
The problem with receiving answers to prayer is not just that we lose the momentum of prayer.
There is a risk that one could fall into the pride of having moved God with one's own sincerity (power), and that one could regard God as an object of manipulation.
The worst danger is disguising one's own desires as God's will.
In fact, there are many cases where the conscious and unconscious ambitions of pastors are cleverly disguised as God's will.
The obsession with church growth is packaged as "God's vision," the expansion of influence is packaged as "spiritual leadership," and the desire for self-fulfillment is packaged as "God's glory."
Healthy criticism of pastors is sometimes labeled as “satanic attacks” or “disobedience of the unbelieving.”
But prayer frees us from such inner negativity.
Because prayer elevates consciousness, changes the texture of the heart, and creates a new existence.
At this time, the dull daily life begins to shine.
To the one who prays, people are miracles, encounters are miracles, and work is a miracle.
Even the pain and trials of life are miracles.
Because prayer is the lock that closes the gates of hell and the key that opens the gates of heaven.
It is truly a blessing to have come to know, or rather to be able to pray, this prayer.
The very thought of a life without knowing or performing this prayer is terrifying.
Because humans are ‘homo orans’, that is, praying beings.
--- pp.26-27
In fact, I often hear that prayers are not what they used to be.
People who make such confessions also express their worries.
I wonder if my faith has weakened or become lazy….
The situation is not much different for pastors, but not many of them admit it honestly.
The problem with receiving answers to prayer is not just that we lose the momentum of prayer.
There is a risk that one could fall into the pride of having moved God with one's own sincerity (power), and that one could regard God as an object of manipulation.
The worst danger is disguising one's own desires as God's will.
In fact, there are many cases where the conscious and unconscious ambitions of pastors are cleverly disguised as God's will.
The obsession with church growth is packaged as "God's vision," the expansion of influence is packaged as "spiritual leadership," and the desire for self-fulfillment is packaged as "God's glory."
Healthy criticism of pastors is sometimes labeled as “satanic attacks” or “disobedience of the unbelieving.”
--- p.63
Publisher's Review
The joy of experiencing the realm of 'Christian prayer'
- Park Kyung-jo (Anglican Bishop, Standing Advisor, Korea Shalem Spiritual Training Center)
Why do we pray? How should we pray? What exactly is prayer? "Prayer, Becoming" offers a warm and friendly guide to the path of prayer, through the perspective of a pastor.
The balance between theory and practice is a great strength of this book.
Above all, the author uses the language of deep experience to unravel the world of non-verbal and non-thinking prayer, the tradition of "mindless spirituality," which has been insufficiently illuminated and misunderstood in the Korean Protestant tradition.
As someone who has walked this path for nearly 24 years and introduced the contemplative prayer training of the American Shalem Spiritual Training Center to Korea, I find it very meaningful that this book was published by a Korean Protestant, and particularly by a Methodist pastor.
The Anglican Church, to which I belong, is open to the tradition of contemplative prayer, but the reality is that some Protestant denominations feel considerable resistance.
However, if you accept the prayers introduced in this book without prejudice and practice them consistently, you will experience great changes and abundant grace.
I can say this with confidence based on my experience.
This book introduces the Jesus Prayer, Centering Prayer, and Presence Prayer in that order.
By consistently practicing the author's explanations and practical guidelines, anyone will realize that prayer is not simply language, but the art of transforming existence. Through intimate communion with God, they will experience the grace of a life "sufficient in God alone."
Above all, the joy of experiencing the realm of ‘Christian prayer’ will be profound.
While reading this book, I realized anew that prayer is 'a journey to discover the treasures of heaven beyond language and concepts.'
Just as Jesus said in his parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” (Matthew 13:44), I am confident that readers of this book will discover the hidden treasure of a new paradigm of prayer in the field of their faith journey.
The author's personal prayer journey illustrates this well.
The kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of God) that Jesus proclaimed is not simply a reward to be enjoyed at the end of history.
It is a new climate (order) of life created here and now based on God's rule and sovereignty.
So, his teachings and existence were a revolution that shook not only the customs of the Jewish religion at the time, but also the entire political, economic, and social order.
Within the order ruled by the Roman emperor, governor, and tetrarch Herod, Jesus presented a new order of government, a new way of being, and a new climate for life called the Kingdom of God.
The author of this book rediscovers the 'Kingdom of God here and now' in the place of prayer.
And then he asks:
Is the Korean church a true Christian church?
This is because today's Korean church seems to be deeply tainted by desires for ups and downs rather than the gospel values of the kingdom of God.
Still, this book does not despair.
Because I know from experience that through contemplative practice, we can discover the treasures of the Kingdom of God here and now, and experience a new climate of life here and now.
The treasure is hidden in the 'prayer of relationship'—not the prayer of supplication!—which takes place in deep silence.
"Prayer, Becoming" revives the story of the Kingdom of God realized in the long tradition of Christian spirituality and the lives of saints.
As readers listen to the story brought to life through the author's pastoral experience and existential confession, they will experience firsthand the meaning of the words, "God alone is sufficient."
We will also come to realize that human identity is no longer defined by 'what I have' or 'what I have achieved', but by 'who I trust and submit to'.
This realization will not remain on an individual level, but will gently permeate families, relationships, and church communities, gradually but surely transforming history.
I sincerely hope that "Prayer, Becoming", which helps us realize that prayer is not something we "do" but something we "become," and that prayer is not an act but a being, will be widely known in the Korean church.
- Park Kyung-jo (Anglican Bishop, Standing Advisor, Korea Shalem Spiritual Training Center)
Why do we pray? How should we pray? What exactly is prayer? "Prayer, Becoming" offers a warm and friendly guide to the path of prayer, through the perspective of a pastor.
The balance between theory and practice is a great strength of this book.
Above all, the author uses the language of deep experience to unravel the world of non-verbal and non-thinking prayer, the tradition of "mindless spirituality," which has been insufficiently illuminated and misunderstood in the Korean Protestant tradition.
As someone who has walked this path for nearly 24 years and introduced the contemplative prayer training of the American Shalem Spiritual Training Center to Korea, I find it very meaningful that this book was published by a Korean Protestant, and particularly by a Methodist pastor.
The Anglican Church, to which I belong, is open to the tradition of contemplative prayer, but the reality is that some Protestant denominations feel considerable resistance.
However, if you accept the prayers introduced in this book without prejudice and practice them consistently, you will experience great changes and abundant grace.
I can say this with confidence based on my experience.
This book introduces the Jesus Prayer, Centering Prayer, and Presence Prayer in that order.
By consistently practicing the author's explanations and practical guidelines, anyone will realize that prayer is not simply language, but the art of transforming existence. Through intimate communion with God, they will experience the grace of a life "sufficient in God alone."
Above all, the joy of experiencing the realm of ‘Christian prayer’ will be profound.
While reading this book, I realized anew that prayer is 'a journey to discover the treasures of heaven beyond language and concepts.'
Just as Jesus said in his parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” (Matthew 13:44), I am confident that readers of this book will discover the hidden treasure of a new paradigm of prayer in the field of their faith journey.
The author's personal prayer journey illustrates this well.
The kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of God) that Jesus proclaimed is not simply a reward to be enjoyed at the end of history.
It is a new climate (order) of life created here and now based on God's rule and sovereignty.
So, his teachings and existence were a revolution that shook not only the customs of the Jewish religion at the time, but also the entire political, economic, and social order.
Within the order ruled by the Roman emperor, governor, and tetrarch Herod, Jesus presented a new order of government, a new way of being, and a new climate for life called the Kingdom of God.
The author of this book rediscovers the 'Kingdom of God here and now' in the place of prayer.
And then he asks:
Is the Korean church a true Christian church?
This is because today's Korean church seems to be deeply tainted by desires for ups and downs rather than the gospel values of the kingdom of God.
Still, this book does not despair.
Because I know from experience that through contemplative practice, we can discover the treasures of the Kingdom of God here and now, and experience a new climate of life here and now.
The treasure is hidden in the 'prayer of relationship'—not the prayer of supplication!—which takes place in deep silence.
"Prayer, Becoming" revives the story of the Kingdom of God realized in the long tradition of Christian spirituality and the lives of saints.
As readers listen to the story brought to life through the author's pastoral experience and existential confession, they will experience firsthand the meaning of the words, "God alone is sufficient."
We will also come to realize that human identity is no longer defined by 'what I have' or 'what I have achieved', but by 'who I trust and submit to'.
This realization will not remain on an individual level, but will gently permeate families, relationships, and church communities, gradually but surely transforming history.
I sincerely hope that "Prayer, Becoming", which helps us realize that prayer is not something we "do" but something we "become," and that prayer is not an act but a being, will be widely known in the Korean church.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: December 2, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 240 pages | 145*205*20mm
- ISBN13: 9788984309999
- ISBN10: 8984309990
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