The Prayer of Unwanting

“Our common practice of prayer is inescapably elusive, open-ended, and somewhat hidden in our faith. In this winsome exposition of prayer, David Williams offers us practical guidance with prayer that is honest, accessible, and filled with insight. Williams walks us through the Lord’s Prayer phrase by phrase, with an awareness wrought of real personal engagement and with an eye on contemporary connections. Williams suggests that we can, in our practice, be engaged in ‘praying without ceasing.’ Those engaged in growth in faith will be grateful for the wise, knowing instruction on offer here.” –Walter Brueggemann, biblical scholar and author of more than one hundred books

“What this profound book offers its reader is the gift of encountering a familiar prayer as if for the first time. Excavating the depths of transformative grace in Jesus’ ancient words, The Prayer of Unwanting is a timeless and necessary book.” –Amanda Held Opelt, songwriter and author of A Hole in the World and Holy Unhappiness

“What do we want when we come to prayer? In The Prayer of Unwanting, David Williams looks at Jesus’ ancient teachings and winsomely places them into the realities of our own days and desires. If you’ve ever wondered what prayer is or is meant to be, let these down-to-earth reflections wash over your mind and heart, pointing the way back to Jesus.” –Catherine McNeil, author of Fearing Bravely: Risking Love for Our Neighbors, Strangers, and Enemies

Rev. Dr. David Williams is the author of several books, including Our Angry Eden, The Prayer of Unwanting, and his critically acclaimed debut novel, When the English Fall. His work has also appeared in The Washington Post, WIRED, Religion News Service, and The Christian Century, among other outlets. He is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and currently serves Poolesville Presbyterian Church, a small congregation in Maryland. Before becoming a pastor, Williams worked for ten years at the Aspen Institute. He lives in Annandale, Virginia.