PRAYER

Effective communication with God is basic to man's relationship with his Creator. Yet to date this is a subject which has been less than adequately treated for the benefit of the serious laity. Only occasionally has a preacher managed to demonstrate the essentiality of prayer and even then only in terms of personal fervor generated by this own convictions. For that reason this book by an internationally recognized theologian, given an assist by a competent and readable translation, rates as a long overdue and important volume which the faithful need and want. Dr. Von Balthasar thoroughly clarifies the necessity for contemplation by man, his capacity for prayer, the mediation of the Church, the reality of prayer and heaven and earth. A life of prayer is here seen to be ""an everyday life of small fidelities and services performed in the spirit of love"". Attainability of the aims set down is made clear. Here is a joyous, useful book to make Christians more capable of achieving reality of union with God--the purpose of life.