Archives: Product Reviews

“Karl Rahner’s prayers, spanning a fifty-year period, are not the prayers of an ordinary lifetime, but the meditations of an extraordinarily prolific and substantial lifetime. If it is true, as novelists often suggest, that the rich are different from the rest of us, it is probably also true that theologians are different from the rest of us in the way they pray.

It is hard enough to read sermons and allow for the transition from the spoken word to the written one. It is even more difficult to do that with someone’s prayers. Some of the prayers (‘On the Eve of Ordination’) bring the reader to the threshold of a wonderful encounter between Rahner and God, but this encounter is so personal that something seems lost in the sharing. With other prayers (‘God of Law’), there is a sense of ‘other-consciousness,’ leaving the impression that Rahner had some inkling that these ‘prayers’ would be published.

These prayers may not pass the test as normal prayers, but they would make wonderful meditations. And the relatively simple form makes accessible to a broader readership the writing of this important, but difficult theologian.”

“Prayers For A Lifetime appeared originally on the occasion of Father Rahner’s 80th birthday, and his death shortly thereafter turned this birthday present into a farewell gift.

This work contains 44 prayers for all phases of Father Rahner’s life and includes eight previously unpublished prayers. Among these is what is believed to be the final prayer he composed, ‘Prayer for the Reunion of All Christians.’

As a collection of private reflections, these prayers are entitled to be subjective, possibly rendering the author vulnerable as they express human emotion. But they should rather be viewed as one man’s journey as a Christian, Jesuit, retreat master, philosopher and theologian.

There is a special richness in the prayers concerning Christ’s passion and the meditative prayers on the seven last words of Christ.

Catholic priests will immediately identify in a very personal way with the ‘Prayer on the Eve of Ordination’ and ‘Prayer for the Right Spirit of Christ’s Priesthood,’ while also identifying with the more expansive challenge included in his final prayer for the reunion of all Christians.

Father Alfons Klein, provincial of the South German province of the Society of Jesus, delivering the funeral sermon for Father Rahner, recalled his words: ‘lf in my life I have done a little bit to help a few people to dare address God, to think of him, to believe in him, to hope and to love—then, I think my life has been worthwhile.’

Prayers For A Lifetime confirms that his life was worthwhile. Father Rahner, thank you for sharing your life of prayer with us.”

“Translated into English, this volume contains a collection of Rahner’s prayers, many previously published.

Those prayers not previously published include Rahner’s prayer for the church, prayer of a layperson, prayer for justice and brotherhood, prayer for peace, and ‘Prayer for the Reunion of all Christians.’ The latter prayer, which he wrote just prior to his death, is a noteworthy memorial.

Obviously, Prayers For a Lifetime is a guide to prayer. Readers can use Rahner’s prayers as they are, or adapt them for their own use. The prayers concerning Jesus’ last words are especially useful. Other prayers are more personal, but each illustrates the author’s love for God, his humility, his spiritual growth, and the church’s growth over the past 50 years.

In an ‘Editor’s Afterword,’ readers are told, ‘This collection is not to provide a manual of theology. Its purpose is rather to place at the disposal of the reader interested in prayer and meditation the prayers of a great theological and spiritual teacher.’

Those who are familiar with the work and thoughts of Karl Rahner will be especially interested in this work. Although it may be appreciated more by Catholics, all readers will find inspiration in these beautiful, thought-provoking prayers.”

“All those who are interested in theology and spirituality, and in the interconnection between the two, should benefit from pondering on this excellent mine of theological and spiritual truth . . . It offers a wide range of prayers which can be used as a springboard for meditation, or which can be used for verbal prayer for those who are tongue-tied before God.”