Book review: ‘The Persistent God: a guide to deepening prayer’

Father Albert Haase, O.F.M., a Franciscan priest who resides in San Antonio, spent 11 years as a missionary in China before he was kicked out. He has written several books on spirituality, has been a presenter on streaming videos and has a website at AlbertOFM.org.

His most recent – “The Persistent God: a guide to deepening prayer” – focuses on prayer and serves as an introduction to the various “methods” of prayer. It also involves spiritual direction. The book is very down to earth, not overly academic, as Father Albert tells stories from his own experience and those of others.  

Some of the methods he discusses are the Ignatian method, Lectio Divina (an ancient Christian and monastic prayer style which involves pondering and praying with the Scriptures) and sources like the Church Fathers and other saints and other methods. He encourages the reader to be in the presence of God in the present moment, which his other books also emphasize.  He encourages people to be persistent in their intercessory prayers.

Father Albert encourages pray-ers not to try too hard and think that God is not listening to them, when in fact God is, but will answer in his own time, which requires the pray-er to have patience.

God might not answer the prayer because he knows it is not for the good of the situation or for the person. God may have a better idea, but in his own time. Father Albert relates how this can cause people distress, thinking they have done something wrong to have offended God, when that is not the case. God knows better than we do, since his ways and thoughts are not ours as Scriptures states in Isaiah 55.

Father Albert talks about spiritual direction and how that can be a great benefit to pray-ers. A person may have more than one in their lifetime, because they may outgrow the present director.  Father Albert gives several examples about spiritual direction.

Father Albert also writes about the situation where a person may find praying or meditating extremely hard, or dry. This is known as the “dark night of the soul,” as Saint John of the Cross and others have written. Sometimes this lasts for a short time, or other times for decades, like in the case of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. This situation calls for persistence.

The topic of contemplation is another topic in the book, with Father Albert writing about not just having consolations or such, but doing good works or actions. This could be little things like helping your neighbor or picking up some trash. Contemplation can come at any time and for a long or a short time. Most of the time it is a very short moment, in the present moment.

The main thing Father Albert is presenting is that one should be persistent and be in the present moment and not “living” in the past or in the future. He discusses this in this book and in his other books. At the end of the chapter there are questions that a person or a group can reflect on.

Some other books by Father Albert: “Soul Training with the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” (2020); “Becoming an ordinary mystic: spirituality for the rest of us” (2019); “Practical holiness: Pope Francis as spiritual companion” (2019); “Saying yes” (2016); “Coming home to your true self” (2008); and “Enkindled: Holy Spirit, Holy Gifts” (2000), written with his sister, Sister Bridget Haase, O.S.U.

This current book is highly recommended to those exploring spiritual direction and prayer. 

Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.