Book: Let Us Pray to the Lord: A Collection of Prayers from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Traditions

Edited by Georges Lemopoulos. Geneva: WCC Publications.1996. 97 pp. $8.95. To order from the New York office: 212-70-3193; fax 212-870-2528. www.wcc-coe.org.

This book of prayers is like a rare jewel from the East. The theological treasures of the Orthodox traditions are on display in these worship materials. First, there is the cultural and historical breadth of the Eastern church, as these prayers come from many lands and tongues, from contemporary sources and from the first centuries’ cradle of Christianity. Second, many of the prayers speak plainly of the Eastern impulse to live every day not just for God, but in the presence of God.

Third, our sisters and brothers in the East most often pray corporately (always “we”) to a communal God, while we in the West tend to pray as individuals (“I”) to a singular God. The prayers here, spoken by a congregation and addressed either to the Trinity as a whole or to a particular, named member of the Trinity, provide a helpful counterbalance. Finally, as opposed to Western books of prayers that are full of . . . well, words—this book is filled not only with words, but also with music and illustrations to guide and enhance both corporate worship and private devotions.

Rev. Dr. Ron Rienstra has been a regular contributor to Reformed Worship over the years. He is the director of worship life and professor of preaching and worship arts at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America , author of Church at Church, and coauthor with his wife, Debra, of Worship Words: Discipling Language for Faithful Ministry. Together they have three grown children, a multiplicity of living-room instruments, and a tame backyard they are slowly rewilding.

Reformed Worship 61 © September 2001, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.