Book Review: The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice, by Thich Nhat Hanh

I just love the new books section at the library, because I often find interesting books by authors I would normally read and I just love finding a new-to-me great author. When I saw the title "The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice" I thought this is right up my alley. On the cover is a photograph of a Buddhist monk kneeling in prayer.

I wondered at the time if the book was just for Buddhists, but as I read it, I understood it to be a book for everyone of any religion. Thich Nhat Hanh encourages everyone to sit in silence each day. It doesn't matter if your form of silence is prayer, meditation, chant or some combination of the three; we all need that silent time to communicate with God.

I meditate and have for years; personally, I found it to be a form of prayer. Some people I have expressed that thought to have disagreed with me, they are rigid in their mind that prayer is prayer and meditation is meditation; to them the two are altogether two separate activities. Thich Nhat Hanh agrees with me that prayer and meditation are not separate in fact; prayer intensifies with meditation and with the power of our intention.

I hadn't studied Buddhism and so I was surprised to learn of the many aspects of Buddhism that I already practice in my daily life. It was a reminder to me that no matter which religion we choose to follow we all are following the same basic principles.

I've read many spiritual type books and find them interesting but not fun reads. This serious book about prayer is a fun read. It explains in everyday language the hard questions. The first question answered is "Why is prayer successful at some times and not at others?" It's a simple question, but I've always found that it's one that hard to answer.

Thich Nhat Hanh using talking on a telephone as an example. You have to have electricity, wire and of course a telephone to make it work. All three components need to be working properly to talk on the telephone. A prayer needs "energy of faith, compassion, and love" to make it work. If one of the ingredients is missing then there isn't a connection.

Other topics he discusses is two elements of effective prayer; prayer as part of a spiritual practice, the role of prayer in medicine, getting in touch with God and many more issues. He includes two appendices: meditation exercises and Buddhist prayers and Gathas.

This wonderfully written book is a treasure and I encourage you to read it. The best part of my new find is that I've learned that Thich Nhat Hanh has 100 other books he has written. I can't wait to get started.

Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 2006. Small softback version: 155 pages, $11.95.