When you pray - Joanna Collicutt McGrath

BRF's Lent book for 2013, offering daily Bible readings, devotional comment and a prayer or point for reflection for every day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day. The focus for 2013 is the Lord's Prayer, not only reflecting on the relevant passages from the Gospels but considering the prayer in the wider context of New Testament teaching on prayer. Author Joanna Collicutt draws on her background in psychology as well as theology to present a stimulating study of well-known scriptures.

The Revd Dr Joanna Collicutt is Lecturer in Psychology and Spirituality at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford Diocesan Advisor for the Spiritual Care of Older People, and also ministers in a parish. Her other books include Jesus and the Gospel Women, The Dawkins Delusion? (with Alister McGrath) and Meeting Jesus (with Jeremy Duff).

From The Church Times - 18 January 2013 When You Pray by Joanna Collicut provides a meditation for each day in Lent, around weekly themes that focus on six petitions from the much neglected Lucan form of our Lord's Prayer. Throughout the book, Collicut displays a sure touch, and I felt that, in whatever direction this definite polymath took me, I was safe in her hands. Homely examples from her family life and upbringing sit side by side with substantial psychological insights, and biblical interpretation that is positively encyclopaedic, all seasoned with a wry and informed look at church practices across all traditions. Her literary style is delightfully unstuffy, tight, direct, and humorous, as in: "Jesus says here simply that we should treat members of our 'out groups' as if they were our 'in group'," or "Jesus transforms rather than creates. He takes limited human resources - paltry quantities of bread and fish and a group of rather feeble followers - and changes them." Collicut comes across as a familiar friend, a fellow traveller who understands and empathises with the human condition, boldly walking with you through Lent to draw you to your true home. Reviewed by The Rt Revd David Wilbourne, Assistant Bishop of Llandaff