«The earth shines as a symbol of Your presence» Great prayers by great souls is a collection of great prayers written by great women and men. Most of the prayers are accompanied by original texts. Brief biographical notes are provided for each author. These notes can constitute a starting point for further personal reflection or research. May the spiritual heritage of these great women and men – more or less famous people, undoubtedly worthy witnesses - help us in the path of life. PRAYERS BY Columbanus, Jane Austen, Thomas More, Jeremy Taylor, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Ward, Alfredo Fiorini, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alessandro Manzoni, Samuel Johnson, Christina Rossetti, John Greenleaf Whittier, Augustine, Juliette Colbert, Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, Anne Brontë, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Anselm of Canterbury, ... CONTENTS FOR EVERYDAY: Grant memory; The importance of every day; Prayer for Good Humor; At Your gentle chastisements ; Courage and patience; Teach kindness; For success; Now descend; Look upon my studies; The day returns; Every day is your gift; If You should call me; Let me be the thing I meant; Strengthen my mind; Deliver me from my thoughts; Keep us from envy; I will not be idle CONTEMPLATING, PRAISING: Absorb my heart; Every spirit celebrates Your greatness; Blessed be You for all the joy; Happy begun freedom; ... (look inside to see the list of prayers) IN THE TRIAL: Please teach me; Make me an instrument of your peace; Have pity on me; Before You, With You, Yours; For my enemies; Support us all the day long; Lead, Kindly Light; Just as I am; Hear me now; That I may; You behold Your weak creatures; ... (look inside to see the list of prayers) SORROW, MOURNING, HOPE: Though our sins be seventy times seven; Your light shines in the night; Bring me to life; Grant the strength of rebellion; To console the suffering of the world; Be my helper; Sanctify my sorrows: Lead all souls to Heaven; ... (look inside to see the list of prayers) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Valentina Alberici began writing in 2011 to answer a question posed by her daughter. Her answer was so good that it became a much-lauded essay for teens entitled Gesù è davvero esistito? Un viaggio avventuroso sulle tracce di Gesù (Did Jesus really exist? An adventurous journey in pursuit of Jesus) available in Italian, Spanish and Polish version. Since then she has not stopped writing and has become the author of essays and biographies. An avid lover of art and history, she lives with her family in Italy, in the area of Parma that spawned Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini. In English she published MARY MAGDALENE PENITENT OR DEACONESS? One saint, two truths under the sky of Rome available on Amazon.com. For more information or to contact the author: valentina-alberici.blogspot.com