A celebration of men's voices in prayer—through the ages from many faiths, cultures and traditions. "If men like us don't pray, where will emerging generations get a window into the soul of a good man, an image of the kind of man they can aspire to be—or be with—when they grow up? If men don’t pray, who will model for them the practices of soul care—of gratitude, confession, compassion, humility, petition, repentance, grief, faith, hope and love? If men don’t pray, what will men become, and what will become of our world and our future?" —from the Introduction by Brian D. McLaren This collection celebrates the profound variety of ways men around the world have called out to the Divine—with words of joy, praise, gratitude, wonder, petition and even anger—from the ancient world up to our own day. The prayers come from a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions—both East and West—including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and more. Together they provide an eloquent expression of men’s inner lives, and of the practical, mysterious, painful and joyous endeavor that prayer is. Men Pray will challenge your preconceived ideas about prayer. It will inspire you to explore new ways of prayerful expression and new possibilities for your own spiritual journey. This is a book to treasure and to share. Includes prayers from: Marcus Aurelius • Daniel Berrigan • Rebbe Nachman of Breslov • Walter Brueggemann • Bernard of Clairvaux • St. Francis of Assisi • Robert Frost • George Herbert • Gerard Manley Hopkins • St. Ignatius Loyola • Fr. Thomas Keating • Thomas à Kempis • Chief Yellow Lark • Brother Lawrence • C. S. Lewis • Ted Loder • Nelson Mandela • General Douglas MacArthur • Thomas Merton • D. L. Moody • John Henry Newman • John Philip Newell • John O’Donohue • Rumi • Rabindranath • Tagore • Walt Whitman • many others

Life makes warriors of us all. To emerge the victors, we must arm ourselves with the most potent of weapons. That weapon is prayer. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

The gentle weapon of prayer can ease the soul and strengthen the heart, while bringing us closer to God and to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Two hundred years after he lived, the warm insights and generous wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772 1810) continue to be a source of comfort for those in search of an uplifting perspective on life.

> When you pray, hold nothing back from God. Pour out your heart with honest openness, as if you were speaking to your very best friend. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772 1810)

A little treasure of prayers that will open your heart and soul and give voice to your deepest yearnings. Using the startling wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, written two hundred years ago, "The Gentle Weapon " will help you talk with God and enable you to hear your own voice as well.

This spiritual gem makes a loving gift to friends, family, or to ourselves when words of comfort are what s needed the most.

Just as we sing zemiros to escort the Shabbos as it enters, we also do so as it departs - as one would escort a king's arrival and departure. In this sprit, many of Israel's greatest poets composed songs for the Melave Malka meal, which is held as Shabbos leaves and blends into the new week. It is brought down in Likutey Moharan II, Lesson 104 that Rebbe Nachman of Breslov was particularly emphatic about singing through the entire order of zemiros on Shabbos, including the "Fourth Meal." The melodies sung at the Breslover Melave Malka table are treasures of stirring beauty and soulfulness.