A Book of Uncommon Prayer: 100 Celebrations of the Miracle & Muddle of the Ordinary

A celebration is exactly what this book is. What a delight to be introduced to Brian Doyle by means of these one hundred quintessentially quirky, but genuinely beautiful, short prayers. The joke in the book’s title suggests that A Book of Uncommon Prayer is funny, and it often is, sometimes hilariously so. And yet these micro-meditations are truly prayers and many include expressions of pain and confusion, or supplication, or thanks which most people will identify with if they are awake and paying attention to life at all.Doyle has a wonderful ability to show in his prayers that the miraculous and the mundane are intertwined and inseparable. He invites us to be in awe of everything that God has given us, and I mean everything. For instance, he has written “A Prayer in Thanks for Decent Shoes,” “Prayer for Cashiers and Check-out Counter Folks,” and “Prayer in Thanks for the Little Flying Dinosaurs We Call Dragonflies.” These are some of the glorious gifts that Doyle wants us to see and celebrate in life.Doyle’s love for God, family, church and the natural world are all captured in A Book of Uncommon Prayer, as are his more worldly concerns and fears. There is something in the book for everyone – whether it is to rejoice over a hot shower, give thanks for all birds, “herons in particular”, or to pray deeply for those who are facing death. I offer a grateful prayer for Brian Doyle and this amazing little book, that as small as it is, there are 100 celebratory, mini, jewel-like meditations contained within it. And so: amen.

I discovered Brian Doyle last year. I bought a number of his books, but this one is one of my favorites. He has such quirky and interesting way of looking at things and people. I think this is the third time I’ve given the book to someone I care about.

I read and re-read this delightful selection of prayers that span an incredibly wide array of topics. I am always amused, refreshed, touched, uplifted...and I easily recommend this book for your edification (even as I recognize that Brian Doyle would probably snort laughing at my words.) You're welcome.

I like this book for the many things it reminds me to be grateful and thankful for. It's more spontaneous shooting from the hip kind of writing, Not on the same level as his other fantastic books though.he same as his other books,

The book was in excellent condition

Brian Doyle has a gift for seeing and celebrating the common in uncommon words (mewling, muddled) and an unorthodox style that pays no attention to commonly accepted rules of composition. When he finishes what he has to say on a particular topic, he simply stops with these words, "And so: Amen." In that he is consistent and true to his prayer theme.He kept me reading page after page. Prayer after prayer. (For sisters related by blood. For sisters not related by blood.). All the way through to his Last Prayer. I like that he calls "God" by anything but that name, but that I always knew who he addressed because he used upper case letters. (Boss. You. Love.). I liked that Doyle is honest in expressing joy, love, frustration, pain. I like that I have this book to read and pray with. And so: I recommend it.

Standard prayer books are all well and good: it's handy to have the Angelus or the prayer to St. Joseph for a happy death near at hand. But there are circumstances that just aren't covered in standard prayer books, and that's where this book steps in. Doyle's prayers here include 'Desperate Prayer for Patience with Politicians with Excellent Suits and Shoes and Meticulous Hair and Gobs of Television Makeup Who Have Utterly Forgotten That Their Jobs Are Finally About Feeding and Clothing and Protecting and Schooling Children', 'Prayer for the Elderly Woman on the Train Eating One Almond Every Five Minutes for Two Hours for a Grand Total of Forty Almonds and Believe Me I Counted, Fascinated', 'Quiet Prayer for Friends Whose Teenage Child Just Stormed Out of the House', and 'Grinning Prayer at the Gentle Arrogance & Foolishness of Saying that There Are Only Five Forms of Catholic Prayer'.Reverent, wry, compassionate, humble, funny, honest, touching, but above all, faith-filled.

Mr. Doyle, thank you for the prayer inside this book called "Prayer for Osama bin Laden yes Even Him the Stupid Murderous Slime." We prayed this prayer just this past Sunday (with proper citation) in worship. Yes, Osama bin Laden is dead, but we prayed this prayer to help us learn how to do what Jesus said according to Matthew 5:43-44: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I saw to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." We prayed your prayer and held in prayer the Dallas sniper and those who've been making threats against the police since last Thursday. We prayed for police officers who shoot and kill outside of the boundaries of acceptable law enforcement. We prayed for the enemy that is racism.