Praying To The West

*Winner of the Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction* *Selected as a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star* An insightful and perspective-shifting new book, from a celebrated journalist, about reclaiming identity and revealing the surprising history of the Muslim diaspora in the west—from the establishment of Canada’s first mosque through to the long-lasting effects of 9/11 and the devastating Quebec City mosque shooting. “Until recently, Muslim identity was imposed on me. But I feel different about my religious heritage in the era of ISIS and Trumpism, Rohingya and Uyghur genocides, ethnonationalism and misinformation. I’m compelled to reclaim the thing that makes me a target. I’ve begun to examine Islam closely with an eye for how it has shaped my values, politics, and connection to my roots. No doubt, Islam has a place within me. But do I have a place within it?” Omar Mouallem grew up in a Muslim household, but always questioned the role of Islam in his life. As an adult, he used his voice to criticize what he saw as the harms of organized religion. But none of that changed the way others saw him. Now, as a father, he fears the challenges his children will no doubt face as Western nations become increasingly nativist and hostile toward their heritage. In Praying to the West, Mouallem explores the unknown history of Islam across the Americas, traveling to thirteen unique mosques in search of an answer to how this religion has survived and thrived so far from the place of its origin. From California to Quebec, and from Brazil to Canada’s icy north, he meets the members of fascinating communities, all of whom provide different perspectives on what it means to be Muslim. Along this journey he comes to understand that Islam has played a fascinating role in how the Americas were shaped—from industrialization to the changing winds of politics. And he also discovers that there may be a place for Islam in his own life, particularly as a father, even if he will never be a true believer. Original, insightful, and beautifully told, Praying to the West reveals a secret history of home and the struggle for belonging taking place in towns and cities across the Americas, and points to a better, more inclusive future for everyone.

A memoir which presents the author's story and the prayer that changed her life. It takes the reader on a journey with the author as she recalls the moments in her life when her faith was nearly shattered - upon the death of her husband, when faced with raising four children alone, and learning to say no to an addicted child.

"O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the flock under His care." Today, if only you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day in Massah in the wilderness. (Psalm 95:6-8) You may wonder why a book about storming heaven begins with a prayer about bowing and kneeling. It's because it is from this position of humility and submission that we find our answers and win our battles. In understanding Him, we learn He won't deny us our requests. In pouring out our heart to Him, we learn He would never break our heart. Not only do we grow to understand our place in His Kingdom, we grow to understand His amazing love toward us. He is waiting and longing and expecting to answer our prayers and give us our heart's desire. We are members of His household, children of the King of Kings. We are heirs to all of His incredible promises and recipients of His matchless grace. Like most people, I've had experience with prayers that seem to fall on deaf ears, prayers that appear for all practical purposes to go unanswered. In fact, at one point in my life, I actually told people if there was a God, He was a serious underachiever. It’s amazing to me that He still loves me after such an insult. I'd lost family to devastating illnesses. I tried without success to ease the terrible suffering experienced by four members of my six person family. I watched them die untimely and painful deaths. In some cases it was more like seeing them tortured to death. If there was a formula to reverse suffering or to talk Jesus into showing mercy, I certainly couldn't find it. It was a very black time of my life. That's why I'm excited to share this book. I spent years studying prayer, reading about prayer, praying prayers. For more than twenty years my life has been devoted to discovering how to pray effectively. I don't believe there is a formula, really, though I believe the format of The Lord's Prayer is an excellent blueprint. Daniel, David and Solomon give us beautiful prayers as well. The endorsement I give for the prayers in this book is: they worked. It’s not because of what I studied, read or wrote. It's because during the process of learning what touches the heart of God, what He wants, what pleases Him, I learned to pray His Word.

The Christian life is a very practical one. Yet, it is not following a set of rules. Rather, it is lived from an inner principle that is steeped in knowledge of the word of God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer at the new birth, every individual believer has what it takes to live the Christian life effectively. This includes obeying the Lord’s command to pray for our enemies. In “Pray for Your enemies”, the author tackles a rather difficult subject, in a manner that is biblically sound, and intensely practical. He uses both Bible and real-life examples to present his thoughts. Thus, you have in your hand a book that offers you clear teaching, that is both thought-provoking, and easy to read. If you have ever sought to understand the Lord’s words on the matter of praying for your enemies, this is a must read for you. It will help you to obey the Lord’s instruction on the matter, and equip you to help others to do same. You will mature spiritually in the process.

This collection provides several state of the question" essays on current research in a variety of Eucharistic prayers in the Churches of East and West, including attention to other issues of Eucharistic praying and theology. In addition to essays by already recognized scholars in the field, this collection also introduces readers to a new generation of liturgiologists who are emerging within the academy as notable contributors to the field of liturgical studies. For students and teachers of liturgy, indeed, for al who seek solid and up-to-date scholarship on Eucharistic liturgy and theology, this volume offers an ecumenical guide from New Testament texts through Addai and Mari, the so-called Apostolic Tradition, and Roman Canon, through the diversity of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox anaphoras, up to and including the sources for the prefaces of the Missal of Paul VI. Close attention is also given to questions such as the origins of the Sanctus, Eucharistic consecration, as well as other historical and theological questions from within Eucharistic praying. Maxwell E. Johnson is professor of liturgy at the University of Notre Dame. Among the several titles he has written or edited are The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation (2007) and American Magnificat: Protestants on Mary of Guadalupe. He is also a frequent contributor to and an editorial consultant for Worship. "

Watching or reading the news is an opportunity— an opportunity to give in to fear and despair, or an opportunity to make a difference! In Praying the News, concerned readers will find a practical guide to discovering the power, joy and peace of partnering with God. Veteran news reporters Wendy Griffith and Craig von Buseck offer an unvarnished assessment of the media as well as a comprehensive biblical plan for effective, world-changing prayer. They tell behind-thescenes stories not only of effective prayer for the news but also stories of their prophetic intercession while reporting the news. Bad news is no match for the Good News of God’s kingdom! Praying the News will meet a huge need in the coming months and years, since many events are coming that will shake our nation, and believers will need a book like this to help them pray into, and pray through, what is coming. Great shakings are coming on earth, but great breakthroughs, glory, blessings are coming from heaven to all who call on the name of the Lord (Isa 60:1-2; Joel 2:32).

A Powerful Companion to the 3-Million-Copy Bestseller Know Your Bible Here's a book that should accompany every copy of God's Word! It's small but packed with helpful information on prayer--our communication with God--promising insight for believers and seekers of any age or background. For each of 66 key prayer passages in scripture, this book provides a summary "In Ten Words or Less" more detailed explanation listing of related verses thought-provoking quotation "So What?" application Get to know prayer better. . .deepen your relationship with the heavenly Father!

Offers meditations on our relationship with God through prayer and tells how to find consolation, express thankfulness, and apprehend the presence of the Lord