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King Legacy #6
"Thou, Dear God": Prayers That Open Hearts and Spirits
"Thou, Dear God" is the first and only collection of sixty-eight prayers by Martin Luther King, Jr. Arranged thematically in six parts--with prayers for spiritual guidance, special occasions, times of adversity, times of trial, uncertain times, and social justice--Baptist minister and King scholar Lewis Baldwin introduces the book and each section with short essays. Included are both personal and public prayers King recited as a seminarian, graduate student, preacher, pastor, and, finally, civil rights leader, along with a special section that reveals the biblical sources that most inspired King. Collectively they illustrate how King turned to private prayer for his own spiritual fulfillment and to public prayer as a way to move, inspire, and reaffirm a quest for peace and social justice. With a foreword by Rev. Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, it is the perfect gift for people and leaders of all faiths, and an invaluable resource for spiritual individuals and those who lead worship.
The book includes a very rare, very limited use photo of Dr. King praying and gold foil stamping on the front cover, a frontispiece photo of the King family at prayer, a prayer ribbon, and elegant endpapers.
The book includes a very rare, very limited use photo of Dr. King praying and gold foil stamping on the front cover, a frontispiece photo of the King family at prayer, a prayer ribbon, and elegant endpapers.
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2011
41 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Martin Luther King Jr.
358听books3,364听followersMartin Luther King, Jr. was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. King was a Baptist minister, one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955鈥�1956) and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957), serving as its first president. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech. Here he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 13, 2020
Martin Luther King's prayers
The book is probably shorter and a quicker read than one may expect. I read this on my Kindle, but I suppose the print copy must have no more than one prayer per page, and many of them are a short paragraph. These are worth reading for the insight into the content and focus of MLK's prayers.
The book is probably shorter and a quicker read than one may expect. I read this on my Kindle, but I suppose the print copy must have no more than one prayer per page, and many of them are a short paragraph. These are worth reading for the insight into the content and focus of MLK's prayers.
May 1, 2022
I have loved learning more about MLK Jr through his own words. This collection focused on his prayers from sermons and speeches and writings. The one thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way was his "interfaith" prayer that kind of made it sound like whatever God you believe in/pray to is okay, even though he seemed very grounded in the Bible and in upholding the Jesus of Christianity.
March 13, 2023
It hadn鈥檛 occurred to me that many of MLK鈥檚 prayers and blessings were lost/never documented in a pre-cell phone era. This is a lovely compilation of those that were preserved, along with interesting commentary on how they laid the seeds for more well known sermons and speeches.
February 25, 2023
4.5 Stars
April 19, 2014
What a great resource into the heart and mind of an ambassador of Christ who went through continual suffering as Christ did, but yet prayed "nevertheless Your will be done" (Matthew 26:39).
The author broke the book into the following sections of prayers:
-for spiritual guidance
-for special occasions
-for times of adversity
-for strength in times of trial
-for uncertain times
-for social justice
-[and concluded with] Biblical verses and Christian sources that inspired him
At the beginning of each of these chapters the author shared some insights as to what was going on with King at that point in history.
Overall, this was a fantastic book of prayers that bring conviction and challenge to people by someone who lived such a virtuous and sacrificial life for not only the betterment of some, but even for his enemies. Sounds like a life lived like Jesus.
This can be used as a part of a person's devotions as they pray each day, along with their regular Bible reading. Another great thing about MLK Jr. was his prayers and speeches were so full of Scripture that it is almost like reading the Bible.
Finally, this book challenged me to do more research on King myself as the author (Baldwin) sometimes tried to portray him as a pluralist in terms of the theology of religions. Other times Baldwin seemed to paint him as an exclusivist, while my prior knowledge understood him as possibly an inclusivist (leaning towards exclusivism).
The author broke the book into the following sections of prayers:
-for spiritual guidance
-for special occasions
-for times of adversity
-for strength in times of trial
-for uncertain times
-for social justice
-[and concluded with] Biblical verses and Christian sources that inspired him
At the beginning of each of these chapters the author shared some insights as to what was going on with King at that point in history.
Overall, this was a fantastic book of prayers that bring conviction and challenge to people by someone who lived such a virtuous and sacrificial life for not only the betterment of some, but even for his enemies. Sounds like a life lived like Jesus.
This can be used as a part of a person's devotions as they pray each day, along with their regular Bible reading. Another great thing about MLK Jr. was his prayers and speeches were so full of Scripture that it is almost like reading the Bible.
Finally, this book challenged me to do more research on King myself as the author (Baldwin) sometimes tried to portray him as a pluralist in terms of the theology of religions. Other times Baldwin seemed to paint him as an exclusivist, while my prior knowledge understood him as possibly an inclusivist (leaning towards exclusivism).
March 11, 2014
I thought I was familiar with much of Martin Luther King Jr.'s spiritual writing. (as opposed to what? his spirituality imbued his politics!) Anyway, I did not know the prayer in "Thou, Dear God" as separate from his speeches, but seeing them like this has been eye-opening for me. I love his words, written and spoken, but it was good to see these as words he spoke to the Divine, on our behalf.
The last section holds Scripture that he prayed or was influenced by, as well as prayer or thought from Christian tradition. I love that the prayer from St. Augustine, "Make me pure, but not yet.", was included as a common attribute of us all. I appreciate this collection, and the comments from the editors, placing the prayer in context.
The last section holds Scripture that he prayed or was influenced by, as well as prayer or thought from Christian tradition. I love that the prayer from St. Augustine, "Make me pure, but not yet.", was included as a common attribute of us all. I appreciate this collection, and the comments from the editors, placing the prayer in context.
August 5, 2016
I found this collection of prayers by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be an open window into the heart and soul of the man, preacher, leader and voice for civil rights movement back in the 50's and 60's. And these prayers still speak to humankind today.
The text is divided into sections: Prayers for Spiritual Guidance; for Special Occasions; in Times of Adversity; for Strength in Times of Trial; for Uncertain Times; for Social Justice. Plus it includes Biblical Verses and Christian Sources That Inspired the Reverend Dr. King.
A beautiful collection of one who gave his life in service for the betterment of others.
The text is divided into sections: Prayers for Spiritual Guidance; for Special Occasions; in Times of Adversity; for Strength in Times of Trial; for Uncertain Times; for Social Justice. Plus it includes Biblical Verses and Christian Sources That Inspired the Reverend Dr. King.
A beautiful collection of one who gave his life in service for the betterment of others.
December 14, 2011
Many religious progressives give short shrift to prayer, perhaps because the idea of prayer seems to suggest a narrow, anthropomorphic God who must be persuaded to do what we want. The prayers of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. collected in this book are of an entirely different order. 听听
August 27, 2016
I received this via a Giveaway - as you might expect if you are familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s prayers/speeches/writing, this book was amazing. It's a beautiful and inspiring collection of prayers, categorized, and I would highly suggest reading it.
December 10, 2014
A powerful collection that speaks of Dr. King's connection to a wide gamut of influences from various Christian traditions. I found it simultaneously inspiringly fresh and rooted in the best of tradition.
December 2, 2014
I was expecting more from this book. It was simply ok. It didn't inspire me the way I thought it would. Although, it was not a bad read by any means.
Currently reading
October 28, 2015The prayers and history of when they were spoken makes this book a good candidate for a constant companion.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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