Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer Paperback – October 16, 1996

This is an excellent book. Be ready...self-examine coming your way!

I used this book for a class through the VLCFF. I really enjoyed reading this book. The author not only provided practical ways to improve your prayer life, but he imparted sound theological basis for his comments. He quoted writers and theologians of the past including church doctors. The book opened up new pathways of learning for me. It is a thoughtfully written journey through the importance and power of personal prayer.

Michael Casey has writeen several books on the practice of spiritual disciplines and spirituality. All are worthwhaile, but this is perhaps his best. It is certainly the starting place for beginning to read his work. As a protestant / neo-pentecostal / evangelical, I found that I was drawn to his way of emphasizing that prayer is a relationship, not an activity or duty per se. This perspective helps me understand the fundamnetals of prayer, and this is what this book is about. Although I have read many books on prayer, from Catherine Marshall to Jack Hayford, from Pope John Paul to the classics, few are more helpful than this book. I find myself rereading certain passages over and over. The only book I have read recently that has had the same impact might be Nouwen's "The Only Necessary Thing." These two books are made out of the same cloth.

The purchase was easy fast and delivery was as advertised. Michael Casey covers the subject in a way that is clear and concise. All of the aspects of prayer in its many forms are covered in the book and they come to life and are made real for the reader. The levels of understanding are many and going back and covering chapters a second and third time brings out the depth of the thought Casey brings to this subject.

I'm always interested in reading books on prayer, from rote and vocal to contemplative. Michael Casey explores a wide scope of prayer experience, opening doors of understanding and confirming for the individual the authenticity of their own experience. I read with great satisfaction and anticipation one chapter after another and enjoyed it immensely!

Michael Casey is one of the best religious authors of the last twenty years or more, especially in the sphere of monastic spirituality.He is a "no-fail" writer. One of the very best in his field. A superb book.

This book was a tool for an online class and it is a great book! I have made notes in it and will put it in my favorite book category!

As other reviews have stated, this is no kind of survey of historically western prayer methods. Rather, it is a book that runs through practices the author sees fitting that come from the Church Fathers and other Christian figures. I'm about halfway through and it's a fantsfic read. It's truly helped me develop a deeper sense of what prayer is all about.