What if a simple, daily ritual could transform your life? In "A Year of Living Prayerfully," Jared Brock embarks on an exhilarating journey, diving deep into the heart of prayer across various cultures and faiths. He tackles skepticism, confronts inner turmoil, and discovers unexpected connections in the most unlikely places. From vibrant temples to quiet monasteries, each locale teaches him something profound, reshaping his understanding of faith and connection. Allow this gripping narrative to challenge your perceptions—what discoveries await when you embrace the power of prayer?
"A Year of Living Prayerfully" chronicles Jared Brock’s global pilgrimage of prayer, blending memoir, reportage, and spiritual reflection. Driven by a desire to deepen his Christian faith, Brock spends twelve months exploring diverse traditions of prayer across continents, meeting monks, rabbis, mystics, and everyday believers. Skeptical yet curious, he visits places like the Vatican, Jerusalem, and North Korea, experiencing prayer in forms he’d never imagined. Brock’s journey highlights personal transformation, surprising unity among faiths, and the life-changing impact of engaging sincerely with prayer. His humor, honesty, and openness invite readers to re-examine the role of prayer, showing it as both a discipline and a path to greater connection—both with the divine and with fellow humans.
Jared Brock sets out with a simple, ambitious goal: to immerse himself in daily prayer for one year, while traveling the world to uncover how other cultures and faiths approach this ancient practice. From grand cathedrals to hidden monasteries and remote synagogues, Brock’s pilgrimage takes him to Rome, New York, Jerusalem, South Korea, and beyond. Each destination offers a unique perspective on prayer, from contemplative silence to ecstatic celebration, revealing both the diversity and commonality at the heart of spiritual practice.
Throughout his journey, Brock confronts his own skepticism and preconceived notions about prayer. He interviews modern-day mystics, religious leaders, and lay practitioners, learning not only new techniques and rituals but also gaining insights into the struggles many face with doubt and distractions. His candid reflections, marked by humor and vulnerability, make the exploration deeply relatable. Brock learns that genuine prayer often emerges not from rigidity, but from honesty and persistence in seeking a deeper connection with God.
A recurring theme in the book is the transformative effect sustained prayer has on individuals and communities. Brock observes how prayer can foster inner peace, encourage selflessness, and nurture hope in challenging settings. Through his interactions—with reclusive monks, social activists, and even prisoners—he sees firsthand how disciplined spiritual practice can reshape hearts and lives, motivating people toward compassion, forgiveness, and resilience.
Brock’s travels underscore the rich tapestry and remarkable unity among the world’s faith traditions. He discovers shared values and intersecting wisdom in Christian, Jewish, Orthodox, and other practices. Despite varying rituals and languages, the longing for transcendence, connection, and meaning unites people across religious boundaries. This recognition of commonality deepens his faith and prompts invitations to dialogue rather than division.
Ultimately, the year-long odyssey transforms Brock’s understanding of prayer and faith. He comes to appreciate prayer as not just a ritual or obligation, but as a dynamic, evolving discipline that sustains relationship—with the divine and with others. The journey leaves him—along with the reader—with a renewed sense of hope, humility, and possibility, encouraging a fresh embrace of prayer as a powerful, lifelong adventure.