The book begins with a simple and very relevant observation: many people feel a thirst for spiritual life and desire to encounter God in prayer, but they do not know how to begin or soon abandon it when difficulties arise. The author presents mental prayer not as a practice reserved for particularly devout people, but as a path accessible to every Christian who wishes to grow in friendship with God. In a clear, approachable style, full of a supernatural outlook, he offers practical guidance for beginning this journey and, above all, for persevering in it. Prayer is valuable even when one experiences no consolation, because it is a school of trust and love. The author draws on great masters of the spiritual life, such as Saint Teresa of Jesus, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
One of the book’s main strengths is precisely its practical character. Philippe addresses with simplicity the doubts, distractions, periods of spiritual dryness, and difficulties that commonly arise in prayer, and offers advice that helps readers avoid discouragement or turning the interior life into a search for extraordinary experiences. What matters is cultivating a personal relationship with God based on humility, trust, love, and perseverance. The book helps awaken the desire to pray and to understand that setting aside time for God each day is not an additional burden, but a profound need of Christian life and a path towards true happiness.
Jacques Philippe was born on March 12, 1947, in Lorraine, France. After studying Mathematics, he worked for several years as a teacher and scientific researcher. In 1976, he joined the newly founded Community of the Beatitudes. He spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth, where he studied Hebrew and deepened his understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity. He later moved to Rome to study Theology and Canon Law, while beginning to serve as a spiritual director and contributing to the formation of priests and seminarians within the Community. He was ordained a priest in 198. His priestly ministry has been particularly characterized by preaching retreats and providing spiritual accompaniment.