In this enlightening discussion, Roberta Bondi, a Professor Emeritus of Church History at Emory University, shares her extensive knowledge of prayer and early Christian spirituality. She reflects on the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, emphasizing the importance of humility and presence. Bondi addresses the challenges many face in establishing a prayer practice, advocating for a gentle, engaging approach. She also uses the biblical metaphor of Jacob wrestling with an angel to illustrate how struggle in prayer can lead to profound spiritual growth.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Marriage Anxiety Sparks Prayer
Roberta Bondi struggled with anxiety about her husband's late returns early in their marriage.
She realized she had placed Richard in God's position, which led her to begin a prayer discipline.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start Prayer Any Way Possible
Any reason to begin prayer is valid; it is about everyday life, not lofty ideals.
There is no single correct way to pray; if one method doesn't work, try another.
insights INSIGHT
Prayer Is Showing Up
Prayer is like being present with loved ones: engagement varies, and much of the time we coexist quietly.
The key to prayer is simply showing up, regardless of how engaged or distracted we feel.
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The Sayings of the Desert Fathers is a collection of aphorisms and anecdotes attributed to early Christian monks in the Egyptian desert. These sayings offer profound insights into spiritual life, emphasizing themes of humility, prayer, and the pursuit of perfection. The collection provides guidance on various aspects of monastic life and spiritual growth, offering practical advice and spiritual wisdom. The sayings are often brief and paradoxical, challenging readers to contemplate their meaning and apply them to their own lives. The book remains a valuable resource for those seeking spiritual direction and a deeper understanding of early Christian spirituality.
A Place to Pray
Reflections on the Lord's Prayer
Roberta Bondi
In 'A Place to Pray: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer', Roberta C. Bondi shares personal experiences and insights to help readers navigate the complexities of praying the Lord's Prayer. The book is not an exegetical work but rather a collection of reflections that draw from her own life, making it a relatable and accessible guide for those seeking to deepen their prayer practice.
To Pray and to Love: Conversations on Prayer with the Early Church
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Roberta Bondi
In 'To Pray and to Love,' Roberta Bondi explores the profound connection between prayer, love, and early Christian traditions. Through insightful conversations and historical context, Bondi examines how early Christians approached prayer as a means of expressing their love for God. The book delves into the spiritual practices and theological perspectives of the early Church, offering readers a deeper understanding of prayer's transformative power. Bondi's work invites readers to reconsider their own prayer lives and to cultivate a more loving and intimate relationship with the divine. By examining historical examples, she provides guidance for enriching one's spiritual journey.
Memories of God
Theological Reflections on a Life
Roberta Bondi
In 'Memories of God: Theological Reflections on a Life', Roberta Bondi shares stories formed in a life of prayer, reflecting on life's turning points and how they are influenced by Christian understandings. The book explores how personal stories intersect with beliefs, family experiences, and cultural expectations, revealing commonalities with others' stories.
Buried treasure from the On Being archive!
Krista writes of this conversation from the earliest pre-history of On Being:
In the years in which I was on a whole new spiritual and intellectual adventure that changed the direction of my life — years which led to the creation of this show — I befriended a delightful, brilliant, straight-talking theologian named Roberta Bondi. She’s now retired. At that point, she was on the faculty of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. We were placed together as roommates at a five-day consultation. We fell deep into conversation about all kinds of things — life and love and God, a subject that fascinated us both. She’d written a book called Memories of God, and she’d written a series of books about the eccentric, dazzling wisdom of spiritual rebels and innovators known as the desert fathers and mothers of the 3rd century. These were people who believed that the established church — at that time the Church of Rome — had grown cold and remote from very heart of the impulses that brought it into the world in the first place: the rootedness in wisdom and not mere knowledge, the humility over against power, the core moral and spiritual values.
Then, not that long ago in our world of institutions ceasing to make sense, someone I very much admire told me he was interested in picking up a practice of prayer. He had no idea how to begin or really even what this would be about – he just knew it was a longing he wanted to follow. The first thing that came to my mind to share with him is this somewhat eccentric, rich little half hour I had with Roberta in the earliest piloting of what eventually became On Being. Her wisdom about what it means to be a person who prays, in conversation and relationship with God, whoever God is and whatever God means, has formed me ever after. I am so delighted to share it now with you.
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