When You Pray

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