Religion writer Jim Castelli set out to answer these profound questions by talking with twenty-six spiritual leaders and practitioners representing the wide spectrum of faith in America today. How I Pray gathers these remarkable conversations into a thought-provoking, personal, and deeply meaningful volume. In How I Pray Christians and Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, Native Americans and Mormons, and members of many other faiths describe the intimate and unique ways in which they pray—and what prayer means to them. Catholic priest and novelist Andrew M. Greeley reveals that he prays to a womanly God because it enhances the intimacy of his spiritual encounters. Pollster George Gallup, Jr., considers his prayer life a dynamic two-way conversation with God. Lakota Sioux medicine man High Star shares the fascinating prayer rituals that his people have practiced for centuries. Infused with honesty and passion, warmth, and a deep reverence for life's spirituality, How I Pray is sure to be a source of illumination and delight for readers of all religious backgrounds, with insights from the following spiritual leaders: Philip C. Bom Sidney Callahan Joan Brown Campbell Sandra Goodwin Clopine Richard J. Foster George Gallup, Jr. Ann Garvin Rajshri Gopal Billy Graham Andrew M. Greeley High Star Lawrence Kushner Norman Lear John Lewis Martin E. Marty Carole Mu’min Ronald Y. Nakasone Marlene Payne Jane Redmont Mary Frances Robles Eve Rudin Robert Schuller Dan Seals Eleana Silk Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B. Lisa Wood This is a collection of short narratives reconstructed by the editor from 26 structured interviews about prayer. It is readily accessible to a general audience, and, given the widespread interest in spirituality, it is destined to be a popular book. The reader may tend to be skeptical about any book that begins with the flat assertion that "everyone prays," but Castelli and those he interviews define prayer so broadly that the assertion is almost indisputable. This means that the book is not so much an account of a specific activity identified as "prayer" as a reflection on the spiritual practices of a varied (though not entirely random or representative) group of Americans. The sample is predominantly Christian, with a smattering of other traditions, and as the only Native American respondent points out, the interviews are driven by "a real Western question." But there are valuable insights here, and readers are likely to find browsing through the narratives an interesting (and sometimes rewarding) experience. Steve Schroeder ter Jim Castelli set out to answer these profound questions by talking with twenty-six spiritual leaders and practitioners representing the wide spectrum of faith in America today. How I Pray gathers these remarkable conversations into a thought-provoking, personal, and deeply meaningful volume. In How I Pray Christians and Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, Native Americans and Mormons, and members of many other faiths describe the intimate and unique ways in which they pray -- and what prayer means to them. Catholic priest and novelist Andrew M. Greeley reveals that he prays to a womanly God because it enhances the intimacy of his spiritual encounters. Pollster George Gallup, Jr., considers his prayer life a dynamic two-way conversation with God. Lakota Sioux medicine man High Star shares the fascinating prayer rituals that his people have practiced for centuries. Infused with honesty and passion, warmth, and a deep reverence for life's spirituality, How I Pray is sure to be a so Religion writer Jim Castelli set out to answer these profound questions by talking with twenty-six spiritual leaders and practitioners representing the wide spectrum of faith in America today. How I Pray gathers these remarkable conversations into a thought-provoking, personal, and deeply meaningful volume. In How I Pray Christians and Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, Native Americans and Mormons, and members of many other faiths describe the intimate and unique ways in which they pray -- and what prayer means to them. Catholic priest and novelist Andrew M. Greeley reveals that he prays to a womanly God because it enhances the intimacy of his spiritual encounters. Pollster George Gallup, Jr., considers his prayer life a dynamic two-way conversation with God. Lakota Sioux medicine man High Star shares the fascinating prayer rituals that his people have practiced for centuries. Infused with honesty and passion, warmth, and a deep reverence for life's spirituality, How I Pray is sure to be a source of illumination and delight for readers of all religious backgrounds. PRAYING AND PRAY-ERS       Everyone prays. For some people prayer requires several hours a day and involves intricate rituals. For others prayer takes the shape of an occasional “Oh, no!” at bad news and “Thank God!” at good news.   Yet whatever the length, language, complexity, or faith of our prayers, they all ul