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3.5 

A Cry for Mercy

By Henri J. M. Nouwen
A Cry for Mercy by Henri J. M. Nouwen digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

A reissue of one of Henri Nouwen’s most powerful and most personal books: prayers that “reveal a fearful heart, a cry for mercy, rays of hope, the power of the Spirit, the needs of the world, and finally gratitude.”

In his continuing search for a deeper understanding of the spiritual life, Henri Nouwen traveled twice to the Trappist monastery in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. His first visit inspired The Genesee Diary, a moving account of his daily experiences and of contemporary monastic life. When he returned five years later, the familiar, comfortable daily rhythms of the contemplative life led him to concentrate his attention on meditation. He disciplined himself to write a prayer each day, an endeavor that became this extraordinary book.

In these daily prayers, Father Nouwen confronts his own inner chaos as he tries to create a space in his heart where God can dwell. Powerful, searching, and painfully honest, Nouwen’s prayers, confessions, and petitions point to the final goal of all spiritual life: to live unceasingly in the presence of God. Like The Wounded Healer and The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Cry for Mercy is filled with freshness and insight. It speaks directly to the contemporary Christian’s need for a meaningful spirituality, a disciplined inner life, and a real sense of the divine presence in everyday life.

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2 Reviews

3.5
“This book has brought me to my knees and brought me to tears more times than I can count. When I first opened it, I started reading the first prayer aloud to myself, and I was stunned by how much it moved me. Reading Nouwen's incredibly honest and real prayers has been powerful and humbling and I have loved reading through this one. Each page is underlined and starred and I keep rereading lines over and over because I love the way they flow and beckon me to pour my heart out to my Father.”

About Henri J. M. Nouwen

HENRI J.M. NOUWEN (1932-1996), a Catholic priest, taught at several theological institutions and universities in his native country of The Netherlands and the United States, and spent his last years as a teacher and minister at L'Arche Daybreak Community, a home for people with mental and physical disabilities in Toronto, Canada. He wrote many books on the spiritual life, including Reaching Out, The Wounded Healer, and The Return of the Prodigal Son.

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