Openings: A Daybook of Saints, Sages, Psalms and Prayer Practices

This is a prayer book for every day of the year for people who don't usually think about using a prayer book. Drawing on a wide variety of resources - lives of saints and sages from every age, psalms, guides for personal reflection and suggestions for practice - Rev. Larry J. Peacock offers helpful guidance for anyone hungry for a richer prayer life. Each day's reading has four parts: * Remember a notable person of faith or a significant event * Read a psalm or another scripture passage * Ponder that day's scripture or person of faith * Practise a variety of different ways to pray, including prayer through play, music and physical movement This new edition features the addition of ancient and modern sages from inside and outside the Christian tradition as well as updated resources for deepening your spiritual life throughout the year.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Second Edition ix Acknowledgments xiii An Invitation xv January 1 February 33 March 63 April 95 May 127 June 159 July 191 August 223 September 255 October 287 November 319 December 351 Using Openings for Holidays and Festivals 383 Notes 386 Suggested Resources 393 Sourcebooks on Saints, Sages, Psalms, and Prayer Practices 405 Index of Prayer Themes and Practices 409 Index of Saints, Sages, and Events 413 Credits 418

About the Author :
Rev. Larry J. Peacock, well known for his ability to help spiritual seekers find and celebrate the sacred in the everyday, is executive director of Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in Massachusetts. He has, also, served a church in Manchester For over thirty years, he has visited monasteries and retreat centres around the world, including Taize in France, Iona in Scotland and a pilgrimage to Assisi in Italy.

Review :
"Lives up to its title.... Put the contents of this book into practice and it will hallow your daily life. —Parker J. Palmer, author, Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak and A Hidden Wholeness “Larry Peacock ... has poured his spiritual insight into the pages of this wise book." —Martin Sheen “Enriched by the guidelines for use on retreats, in prayer groups, and for special occasions, and is very user friendly.... Creates a rhythm in the reader's soul, helping to establish a rule of life.” —Rev. Jane E. Vennard, spiritual director, retreat leader; author, Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul “Wonderfully helpful [and] wise.... No matter where you may be in your exploration of prayer and meditation, [this] is an excellent guide.” —Rev. Dr. Ted Loder, author, Guerrillas of Grace “A freshly prepared feast for the hungry heart.... Accessible to anyone—inside and outside gathered communities of faith—willing to pause for a few moments to be fully present to this particular day.” —Alice Mann, consultant, speaker; author, Holy Conversations and The In-Between Church “Like a fresh spring, Openings invites those thirsty for God to 'come to the waters’ (Isa. 55:1).... Simple yet wonderfully wise ponderings and prayer practices refresh the spiritual traveler and help to uncover the source of blessing hidden in each day.” —Wendy M. Wright, PhD, professor of theology, John C. Kenefick Chair in the Humanities, Creighton University “Sensibly down-to-earth ... will appeal to Christians of all denominations who want to stay alive to the Spirit one day at a time.” —Wilkie Au, PhD, associate professor, Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University