Catholic Book Reviews | Christian Prayer

[@DavidWilson-hd6iz]

Great review , thanks. There's a British / Commonwealth version of this, called "Daily Prayer", which has a green cover, published by Collins. I haven't used it, but I think the Scripture Readings are from the RSV-CE; same as the "Divine Office" (the UK / Commonwealth version of the LoTH). Think they also skipped the "infernal artwork" . I suspect there might be a new version of both coming out "soon" because the dioceses in Scotland and England & Wales are both switching to the ESV-CE for Lectionary readings.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Ah yes! I love how you put soon in quotes! I have only heard of the British version. I have never seen it but I would love a version with better translations and better art.

[@DavidWilson-hd6iz]

@@ConvincedCatholicism I just edited my initial comment. It's actually called "Daily Prayer". I think it uses the Abbey Psalter and Canticles.

[@dubarnik]

Another excellent review. I appreciate you reviews so much that I'm now one of your sponsors! I normally pray using the four volume LotH, but I do own the Christian Prayer. You motivated me to look through the book in greater depth with an eye towards using it as my traveling Breviary. I think it will fully meet my travel needs. As for the many other Breviaries and prayer books you've reviewed and recommended, I plan to slowly increase my library. But, to be honest, I can't imagine that I'll ever replace the LotH. I've grown very fond of it!

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the support! LotH is a great divine office. I know someone who prays it very faithfully and fondly.

[@pensare33]

Very informative. I enjoy your work, thank you for producing this content. I was wondering if you would do a review of The Geste of the Great King -The Office of the Passion of Saint Francis of Assisi? I recently picked up a used copy online for $10 and was looking for some videos on how to pray the office correctly. Thank you for your consideration. Have a blessed day.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

I will try to find it!

[@duromusabc]

That symbol on the front cover and on the binding is the Catholic Hypostatic Union (Christ the God Man)

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Thanks for that great insight!

[@chris12780]

Hi I actually made a tutorial on how to use that same one book Liturgy of the hours. And also a tutorial on the 4 books type as well.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Nice!

[@hoosinhan]

At 6.45 the gloria prayer in that book is the familiar version used by Indonesian Catholics. The indonesian catholic glory translated literally into english would sound like glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, always, and along all centuries (ages) Amen. Indonesian language dont have time marker (was, is, would etc) thus we use "all centuries" to signify everlasting.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Very interesting translation!

[@hoosinhan]

Kemulian kepada Bapa, Putra, dan Roh Kudus seperti sekarang, selalu, dan sepanjang segala abad. Amin.

[@chainlobster7479]

Another great review.I guess my biggest complaint is that Christian Prayer skips some Psalms. I am guessing that the four volume does the same.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

As far as I know, yes.

[@vivacristorey4363]

You can always add those psalms in separately as your own private devotion. They are not required for praying the office at this time but there is nothing wrong with reciting them.

[@vivacristorey4363]

Are you aware of any book that has the office of readings separately? I love the lay out of the Ordinariate office in style. However I am not a fan of the readings. The regular office of readings syncs well with the readings of the Mass and gives some patristics. The ordinariate readings I find to be too long. Two readings for morning prayer and two for evening. It is my hope that they will reform it to give the option of the Ordinariate style but with the office of readings substituted in.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

As far as I can tell, there is not a book currently in print that does it. If there was one in print I would probably make it my daily driver. You can find copies on the internet sometimes but they go for ≈$100 USD

[@michaelconnors7668]

I have a copy of Christian Prayer Catholic Book Company, 1976. It’s on the shelf and I never use it. The are at least five other one volume abridgments of the Liturgia Horarum and with every one of those five I can pray the assigned psalms of each of the 28 days of the Psalter assigned to the Daytime Prayers. I can’t do that with Christian Prayer, Catholic Book Company, 1976. That book only has a selection of seven days for the Daytime Prayer. The cornerstone of the Daytime Prayer is Psalm 119. Christian Prayer, Catholic Book Company, 1976 omits Psalm 119 strophes 6 through 13, strophes 15 through 18, and strophes 20 through 22. Other Psalms missing are 7, 22, 23, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 71, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 83, 94, 105, 106, 109, 129, 133, and 140. Three of these Psalms 78, 105, and 106 are only prayed during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter “as they throw a special light on the history of salvation in the Old Testament as the forerunner of its fulfillment in the New.” Three other Psalms, 58, 83 and 109, are omitted entirely from the Liturgia Horarum, so at least that omission is explainable. And what I get for these omissions? Hymns I never use. That’s why the book is on the shelf and I never use it. The Daughters of St. Paul, [The Paulines] also published their version of Christian prayer : the Liturgy of the Hours, Boston : Daughters of St. Paul, St. Paul Editions, in 1976. With that edition I can the complete 28 day Psalter. I pray the 144 Psalms, 147 Psalms during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, included in the Liturgia Horarum. So that’s the edition I use. It’s in print in the Philippians. I had no trouble getting a copy.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

I hadn’t realized that the Pauline version was different

[@Forester-]

My only complaint with this book is the artwork. I really dont care for the style. Though it doesnt stop me from using it for my morning prayer routine

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

It is a fine book! Artwork can always be skipped over

[@AmysAutopsyReport]

Do you have LOTH? Our Deacon went over the liturgical calendar with us last night in RCIA and also LOTH, Shorter Christian Prayer and Christian Prayer. He also talked of some of the “issues” people have with it. I may just end up getting the 4 volume set.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Sadly, I do not have the four volume set at this time. Many people are warned to start with something smaller, but they end up ok at the end haha

[@AmysAutopsyReport]

Hmm ok, maybe I will reconsider this volume. I just like the idea that LOTH has everything in it. Whereas Christian Prayer just has selections. But I may end up going with this one instead.

[@AmericanShia786]

Christian Prayer is not heretical, hehehe. But, it could be better. I've seen this kind of artwork since The People's Mass book, which I used in 1967 at age 7, so I can live with that. The translation is blah, but orthodox. There are not enough readings in the office of readings. It could have been designed to be a little easier to use. However, it is less expensive than good one volume breviaries, except for the Benedictine Daily Prayer. My problem with the BDP is in the NRSV translation, and has no imprimatur. The CTS divine office and the Anglican Breviary I like better than Christian Prayer. I like the Anglican Office Book 2nd Edition better as well. But, it has no imprimatur. It may not be the best, but Christian Prayer is good enough. Excellent video!

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

Yeah I think it is a handy little volume. The NRSV on the BDP can be quite jarring

[@justinreany1514]

I realize it is the "Prayer of the Church" but I stop praying the Liturgy of the Hours a few years back. I grew up with the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. This edition by Catholic Book Publishing Company is arguably the ugliest and banal volume out there. It has has the 1960s and 1970s written all over it. I absolutely despise the translation! BLAH!!! Flat, common, boring, ugly. The post-concilar breviary is so anemic in comparison to its predecessor. The LotH is good for busy people that have 10 minutes to pray. But if you really want to enter into a deeper and beautiful liturgical prayer life outside of Mass get a 1928 Book of Common Prayer, or the Anglican Ordinariate Breviary, or the 1961 Roman Breviary. Promise you it will truly enrich your prayer life sooooo much more. Not too mention all of the aforementioned volumes will be infinitely higher quality and beauty than the LotH!

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

I think you should check out my other reviews. I talk about some of those books

[@justinreany1514]

@@ConvincedCatholicism You are the best reviewer of such books. Amazing! Great job.

[@ccbarr58]

Its nearly impossible to find 2024 and now 2025 guide for the readings. I have this because I cant afford the expensive 4 volume set. The P on the front is a chi-rhi(chee-row) it was a sign Christ showed medival soldgiers :"By This Sign Conquer". Its so tacky to review something and sneer at it .

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

@@ccbarr58 I am all too familiar with the Chi-Rhi. The fact that this one was so tacky I couldn’t recognize it speaks volumes

[@albertusr6178]

At this point it's far easier using online breviery

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

To each their own. I much prefer a physical book

[@FernandoBonne-q8s]

How much does this cost?

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

About $35 USD

[@bernadetteabella3974]

Thats very complicated.

[@ConvincedCatholicism]

It seems complicated at first but most of the content is in the 4 week psalter. You can get the hang of it quickly.

[@bernadetteabella3974]

@@ConvincedCatholicism I read the King James Version of the Bible and is not complicated. The scripture is where I gain a deeper understanding of knowledge and wisdom about the Saviors life, ministry, His atonement, death and His sacrifices He did for me and for all of us mankind. My faith in the Lord has grown tremendously as I prayerfully study the scripture. I do my best to follow his teachings and commandments and I believe Gods words should be simple and not complicated to the understanding to the hearts of men.🙏❤

[@TristanHayes]

@@bernadetteabella3974 Okay, but 1) the Psalms and most of the text of the Liturgy of the Hours are from Scripture, 2) the Liturgy of the Hours is a corporate PRAYER meant to sanctify our time in the day, basically think of it as a prayer routine not merely a book to read, and 3) Scripture is pretty complicated, if you think that it isn't then you should read more of the exegesis of the early Christian saints like the Church Fathers on Scripture to dive deeper into it.

[@Regular_Pigeon]

@@TristanHayes aaaaaaaand she's gone lol

[@vivacristorey4363]

@@bernadetteabella3974 You like scripture eh? One of my favourites is when it speaks about praying 7 times a day - literally speaking of the liturgy of the hours. Not complicated. It simply has a learning curve. I for example had to learn how to read before I could read the bible and yet that learning curve was worth it. Likewise with anything worth doing.