Irreverent Prayers
Talking to God When You’re Seriously Sick
Episcopal priests Elizabeth Felicetti and Samantha Vincent-Alexander’s authentic, atypical devotional Irreverent Prayers includes petitions for permission to be “pissed off” and to be rescued from the “platitudes of well-meaning loved ones.”
Emphasizing that the Bible includes innumerable examples of pious people telling God just how they feel (as with the despairing psalmist, the angry Hebrew Bible prophets, and an exasperated Jesus in the gospels), this book declares that those facing serious illnesses should also feel free to express their anger and anxiety to God. Thus, Felicetti and Vincent-Alexander, having faced severe illnesses themselves, share resonant, fearless, and discerning meditations borne of personal knowledge. Their brief, barbed prayers address difficult topics including cancer, life-threatening infections, and the loneliness of long hospitalizations. Their prayers, emphasizing resilience, also include dry humor, as when they ask God to please “tell whoever is praying for patience to stop. Just stop. I am set with patience.”
Irreverent Prayers is a cheeky text whose entries demonstrate the healing power of brave, honest faith.
Reviewed by
Kristen Rabe
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
