Lord Have Mercy: Praying for Justice With Conviction and Humility

About this book

Praise for Lord Have Mercy "Once in a while I find a book about prayer that does something fresh. Claire E. Wolfteich provokes us to rethink the very nature of prayer and how it reshapes us as she discusses six examples of modern Christians confronting the complexities of social engagement and how to make responsible choices in favor of justice and human reconciliation." --Philip Sheldrake professor department of theology and religion University of Durham; author Spaces for the Sacred "Wolfteich provides carefully researched case studies from suburban Miami to the turmoil of apartheid South Africa analyzing the relation of prayer to various human purposes. She guides the reader through the ambiguities of each case giving no easy answers teaching by asking questions. But on another more personal level the book is an ongoing conversation with the author. Her voice comes through again and again--quiet intelligent unpretentious--exposing her own vulnerabilities. We have here a book that is both instructive and moving--a rare thing." --Peter L. Berger director Institute on Culture Religion and World Affairs Boston University "For Wolfteich Christian spirituality is prayerful engagement--humble not presumptuous; prophetic not passive; yet always contemplative in the best sense. This is the best guide I know for helping Christians understand how prayer in its many forms is indispensable to social action." --Kathleen A. Cahalan associate professor practical theology Saint Johns University School of Theology and Seminary