The short answer to the question Jennifer Kavanagh poses in Do Quakers Pray? is a clear “yes.” The longer answer—typical of Quakers—is, well, it depends on what you think of as prayer. Kavanagh, a British Friend writing from the point of view of the unprogrammed Liberal tradition, delves gently into what Quakers think of as prayer. Along the way, she cites her own experience and quotes a wide range of contemporary and historical Friends as well as teachers from other traditions. Friends will find this lovely “Quaker Quick” to be both affirming and challenging—and well worth the short read. As do I and the author herself, many of her sources have a freeform spiritual practice rather than a regular daily discipline at a certain hour. I also found it affirming to find that others maintain an ongoing dialogue with an unnamed Presence. Those same affirmations, however, were also challenges. Should I try again to maintain a daily discipline? Is it important to name the Presence that I experience? Because we Friends don’t speak much about prayer and because we are aware of a diversity of practice among Friends, we may find ourselves feeling that our personal approach to prayer is not honored, is substandard, or is out of the Quaker mainstream. Maybe it’s too traditionally Christian, we tell ourselves; too abstract and mystical; or too down-to-earth and unspiritual. Kavanagh affirms them all as valid approaches to prayer. As you read along, there will likely be stories that don’t fit your experience or belief, but then you’ll hit parts where you say, “Yes, yes, that’s me!,” and feel seen and encouraged to open your heart and deepen your practice. Some of those she cites speak comfortably, even companionably, of God and see various forms of prayer as ways of deepening a relationship with God. She quotes Quaker and Anglican priest John Peirce’s observation that “[a]n understanding of prayer relates to our understanding of the nature of the Divine.” Alongside that she lifts up a perspective from a contributor to the Quaker Quest booklet Twelve Quakers and Prayer: “A traditional understanding of prayer sees God as separate from us.” Quoting the contributor again, Kavanagh comments, “If we see ourselves as ‘of the same substance, the same eternal spiritual essence as God,’ our understanding of prayer must change to accommodate a less dualistic view of our relationship with the Divine.” Kavanagh’s chapter headings reveal the different perspectives she addresses: forms of prayer, kinds or purposes of prayer, spiritual practice, contemplative prayer, and life as prayer. And yet common themes flow in and around one another throughout the text: does the person embrace God as a personal companion or take a nontheistic approach? Does one find spiritual support in pre-written prayer forms and liturgy or feel uncomfortable saying words that do not come directly from the heart? What about supplication: do we send wish lists to God to take care of things for us? Is prayer a way of opening us to how we should care for things? What if we spontaneously express gratitude or need, even if we don’t know to whom we are appealing; is that prayer? Is prayer a two-way conversation? If so, with whom or what? Kavanagh asserts that early Friends wrote of hearing the voice of God, but she suggests, “Nowadays I think it is a rare occurrence.” Then in the ensuing sections she has multiple quotations from contemporary Friends who hear a responding voice, receive guidance, or have a wordless “knowing.” She also suggests that we Friends rarely discuss our most intimate spiritual experiences. I agree that Quakers are shy about such sharing. I have found, however, that when we create a context of trust and invitation, the most ordinary Friends share stories of conversations with an unknown other that they name as God; a guide; an angel; a deceased, beloved relative; or just a deep inner dialogue. As for the meeting for worship, Kavanagh describes it as “wonderfully resistant to generalisation.” She also notes that Friends tend to use the words worship and prayer interchangeably with only a vague sense of how they are similar and how they are different. We speak almost not at all about adoration, but Kavanagh cites the writer Casper ter Kuile who sees adoration as “a chance to get beyond introspection, to connect with something beyond” and “the very same moment when they feel connected to something more than themselves is when they also feel more authentically true to themselves.” I’m thinking maybe that’s what we are all seeking in our own ways: to get beyond the words of prayer, beyond introspection, and to connect with that “something” beyond. ~ Patricia McBee, Friends Journal

This is one of a series of books entitled Quaker Quicks, all of which discuss various aspects of Quaker thought and practice. It is “Quick” in that it has only 64 pages but it is a cornucopia of thoughts on, and attitudes towards, prayer. The question of the title might suggest that it is endeavouring to answer enquirers who are outside the Society of Friends but are members of other faiths whose practice of prayer is more clearly defined by tradition, form or specific practice. The author includes a description of a Meeting for Worship knowing that many are puzzled by the silence of a form of worship that does not include any obvious form or structure of prayer. However, the author discusses many „types‟ of and attitudes towards prayer using her own conclusions and those of many other faiths, including some who would question the very idea of a “God”. These illustrate clearly the many ways in which individuals can approach prayer, to construct a modus vivendi for life which has meaning both for them and for their place in the world. Hence there are short chapters on Kinds or purposes of prayer, Spiritual practice, Contemplative prayer and Life as prayer and each one includes short and wise passages from other people. These chapters are not only informative about the prayer commitment of other faiths but greatly assist one‟s thinking about one‟s own. In conclusion the author avers that Quakers do indeed pray in that it is an intrinsic part of both their inward and outward lives, deeply embedded in their personal lives and affecting how they live in the community. ~ Janet Robinson, Julian Meetings newsletter

Much of Jennifer Kavanagh’s very accessible book on prayer in the life of Quakers comprises a series of enquiries based upon her own life experience and that of others, asking the question of what prayer is. Inevitably this includes the question of who God is, since it is often assumed that when we pray we are praying to somebody or something – an entity called God, or a divine and unnameable presence. Whether the prayer be thanks, or contrition, sorrow or pleading, perhaps the more ‘solid’ is the one to whom we pray, the easier it is. But as Jennifer Kavanagh says, not all Quakers are comfortable with God the person, and certainly not with God as Him. So what should we do? Answering this question, or rather having to answer it, is one of the great paradoxes of the Quaker way. Because we are uncomfortable with the burden of authority, we carry the burden of having to make our way by ourselves, finding our own spiritual pathway without being a given route map, and certainly without a route master. But that is where we are, and so it must be from here that we consider the matter of prayer. There is much of interest, much to ponder in the presentation of the shared experiences and practices in Do Quakers Pray?, asking questions about different kinds of prayer but, at least for me, the most interesting part of the book comes towards the end when the enquiry turns to Contemplative Prayer. It is here, and in the next section, which is Life as Prayer, that one feels that the author strikes firmer ground. Here, the worries about form and content seem to pass away, for here, of course, there is only that quality of silence which is so dear to Quakers, the place in which we experience, as Jennifer Kavanagh puts it, “a deepening awareness of our place in the world, our connection with all that is, and the Divine mystery.” Resting here, the concern for words and forms disappears, and with relief, we acknowledge and dismiss their limitations. In this part of the book, the author introduces two important qualities for the spiritual life – ‘attention’ and ‘intention’. This determined practice, itself “an experience of surrender,” informs and transforms the life of prayer both as inner contemplation and outward action. In a way, one might say that in this determination we find that missing structure of the Quaker way because with it one enters into an explicit relationship with the Divine. In this way she says, “the need for silence,” so much a part of Quaker prayerfulness, “extends into the rest of life.” Thus prayer becomes not so much a practice as a way of being. For this and more, Do Quakers Pray? is an excellent text through which to make the exploration of prayer. ~ David Cadman, Review

What a thoughtful and perceptive and balanced treatise on prayer this is. Quoting from sources as diverse as the late Henri Noewen to brother Lawrence, Thomas Kelly and beyond the author offers deep insights into both the motivations and practices of prayer and contemplation, in addition to providing a deeply personal and thought provoking commentary from her own experiences of prayer and the ways in which these overlap with worship in its fullest sense. What a wonderful short book this is. The practices included in the appendix at the end are a treasure trove of proven prayer and meditation techniques from many traditions, including Buddhism and other denominations of Christianity other than Quakerism. In so many ways a wonderful book to read straight after the Lampen's wonderful Quaker Quick on Inner Peace published recently. Highly, highly recommended. ~ Simon, Amazon

This book is useful for everyone who wants to understand more about prayer, not just Quakers. Jennifer Kavanagh covers a lot of ground, thoughtfully and clearly. I particularly liked the way she brings in the experience of people of other faiths alongside Christian and Quaker experience. She always writes well and shares her life time of knowledge and her understanding of how people tick. Highly recommended. ~ Beth, Amazon

Quakerism is an individual belief and praying comes with it for me. Intrigued by the book I was pleased to find all manners of prayer discussed. From my C of E roots prayer began with Sunday School Bible stories but since the age of 8 I have continued to pray every day. Jennifer talks of ‘prayer rummy’ which gives a visual experience. The regularity of prayer is mentioned and I equate, I miss it if I’m unable to pray due to ill health. Once I used to kneel, whereas I cannot now, and posture embraces an important position of equality and inclusiveness in Jennifer’s book. In Meeting for Worship Jennifer mentions our ‘timeless centre’ as we ‘step off the stage’ and the ‘ocean carries us to the divine within’; what a delightful and accurate explanation. She writes about formal, active, mental and vocal prayer. The key I find is the authentic, truthful words, so in keeping with my honest beliefs with integrity upheld. Many Quakers miss singing when hymns have been the norm. And they are a form of structured prayer. I recently discovered the Quaker Song Book and we do find choirs to join! That direct link with God, or what you call it, is definitely a route quicker than IT. I find a switch turns on when I open my prayer and connections are made instantly. As Jennifer says prayer is a sharing with God, not a prompting of God. I have always prayed with reflection and gratitude included rather than in times of trouble only, which deepens the connection into contemplation. Looking ‘through’ in your life rather than ‘at’ it does bring your whole being into restful peace. Thank you Jennifer. ~ Amanda Jones - Quaker Arts Network

This book by Jennifer Kavanagh is a short and accessible introduction to the topic of prayer from a Quaker perspective. In a matter-of-fact, yet inspirational style, Kavanagh explores such questions as “What is prayer?”, “Who or what do we pray to?”, “Do we pray together or alone?”, and “How do we pray?” The book draws on the author’s personal experience as well as the insights and testimonies of other Quakers from different backgrounds and traditions. It also includes examples of prayer practices from various faiths and cultures. Here you will find meditation, chanting, gratitude, and silence as ways to encounter the Divine. In fact, Kavanagh presents the idea that Meeting for Worship is essentially prayer. She examines St. Paul and Thomas Kelly’s notion of “prayer without ceasing,” and speculates that just living well is a form of prayer. The book is part of the Quaker Quicks series, which offers brief and engaging introductions to various aspects of Quakerism. It will be available for purchase from Amazon and Kindle on October 27, 2023. I highly recommend that Old Chatham buy a copy for our library. In fact, this short, but comprehensive, title should be on the bookshelves of every Quaker Meeting. ~ Richard Russell - Old Chatham Quakers , http://www.oldchathamquakers.org/blog

Jennifer Kavanagh’ s shortish eight-chaptered book was such an enjoyable and note-taking experience for me. I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to engage with it. It’s the sort of read that needs our full attention and time to ponder all Jennifer shares with her readers. It is a comprehensive look at where Jennifer’s own researched and experiential understanding leads her – both within her own Quaker faith and beyond…. A final quote … from Jennifer herself is a sort of summary, for me, of both the joy and the necessity of this wonderful God-given gift/ability: “Most of all I realise that in attempting to be open to guidance in all that I do and am –my relationship with the Divine – prayer is central to my life.” ~ John Carvosso, Universalist

Do Quakers Pray by Jennifer Kavanagh is an inspirational book. The hour long silence in our weekly Meeting for Worship can occasionally be ecstatic, but often seems very long. This book has given me a new approach to prayer. It is a small book but full of wisdom. The challenges it presents have so excited me that I have arranged with some other Quaker Friends to discuss together, in depth, its wealth of suggestions. ~ Sheila Hancock

Beautifully sculpted, highly accessible, and so full of wisdom and wonderful quotes, this is a book for anyone interested in the practice of prayer not just Quakers. Reading it can be an immersion into prayer itself. ~ Ben Pink Dandelion, Programmes leader, research, Woodbrooke

This insightful exploration of contemporary Quakers' relationship to and experience of prayer is enriched by the inclusion of a sampling of prayer practices from many faith or wisdom traditions. The narrative illuminates prayer as an active condition of listening, of sensing the Presence of God, and “a movement of the heart.” This brief, beautiful, personal text invites the reader to consider prayer as “relationship with all that is” and as a way of being in the world. ~ Deborah Shaw, Former Assistant Director of Friends Center, Guilford College, North Carolina: author of Being Fully Present to God, SEYM

A useful handbook for those seeking inner peace in a troubled world. ~ Terry Waite, CBE

This book is an encouragement - to reflect on our personal practice (why and how we pray – or don’t), and to initiate group discussions of a topic which we seem to find faintly embarrassing. Jennifer Kavanagh offers a brief overview of prayer in different cultures and traditions but mostly the book is grounded in the perspective and experience of contemporary Quakers. She also looks at the differences and similarities between worship and prayer (and her brilliant, wonderfully inclusive description of what is happening in Quaker meeting for worship is worth the cover price alone). In so many ways this book is an invitation ‘to pray as we can, not as we can’t’. Do Quakers pray? Well, yes we do - [despite a] cautiousness around prayer which this wise, timely (and deceptively slim) volume seeks to address. Written for Quakers it would definitely be of interest to anyone questioning ‘who or what we pray to’. This is an important book, an intelligent and challenging guide for a questioning age. ~ Alex Wildwood, Associate tutor, Woodbrooke. Co-author of Rooted in Christianity, Open to New Light