Pray Like You Are Going to Die
LETTER BY BRIAN MORYKON
A decade ago I participated in a spiritual formation degree program. One of the unexpected gifts was to read books I would not have otherwise chosen to read — books I disagreed with, books that made me rethink my faith.
This week’s excerpt from The Cloud of Unknowing reminded me of that time. The way the author thinks makes me squirm a little. My inner theologian, unqualified though he is, cries out to correct offending statements. I even tried the recommended exercise: pray as if you’re going to die before the end of the prayer. I couldn’t get myself to believe it.
Yet I know from experience that such books are precisely the ones that help us grow because they stretch us beyond our own experience and preferences. I’m looking forward to reading the entire book.
This month we take a break from our monthly focus on spiritual disciplines to hone in on the authors and books of this year’s Renovaré Book Club. Even if you don’t join, we hope you’ll be stretched by the pieces we share with you.
Brian Morykon
Director of Communications
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