As this title implies, praying is something that has to be learned, if it is to serve God’s purpose in our lives. Prayer begins with God whose invitation into a living relationship with him calls forth from us a continuing response to his redemptive love, which is always at work in the world. Mother Mary Clare’s practical guidance dispels a common misconception of prayer as the passive alternative to engagement with the needs of the world and humanity, and shows it to be, on the contrary, the most urgent and relevant task a Christian can undertake in union with Christ’s saving work.

Originally given as a talk to Roman Catholic novices, Learning to Pray has retained its popularity for more than half a century and has been adapted for secular readers.