Conversations With God: Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060171618 ISBN 13: 9780060171612

Publisher: Harpercollins, 1994

Synopsis

An inspirational collection of prayers by African-Americans is a powerful history and tribute to their faith and includes prayers by Martin Luther King, Alice Walker, W. E. B. DuBois, and lesser-known authors. 50,000 first printing. $60,000 ad/promo.

About this title

Review:

"This is the definitive collection of powerful and poignant prayers of a determined yet degraded people. Only James Washington, with his indefatigable research and theological vision, could have made this available to us."--Cornel West, Harvard University

"These prayers speak not only to African Americans, but to the hearts and souls of people everywhere. . . A powerful testament of faith and hope that will provide a rich, enduring source of inspiration for its fortunate readers."--Coretta Scott King

James Melvin Washington has compiled a unique history of the African-American Christian experience. . . From Phillis Wheatley to Jesse Jackson, "Conversations with God" presents a prolific legacy of faith, ranging from personal meditations to resounding communal celebrations. --"Christianity Today""

Washington s eloquent statements explaining why we should revere these prayers as living testaments of not only our faith, but also our courage and strength, are powerful and spiritually uplifting. "Conversations with God" is a very special book that will warm your soul and awaken your spirit. --"Quarterly Black Review""

This anthology of amazingly graceful passages will serve as a testament of hope for those who have carried everything to God in prayer. --"American Visions""

This is the definitive collection of powerful and poignant prayers of a determined yet degraded people. Only James Washington, with his indefatigable research and theological vision, could have made this available to us. --Cornel West, Harvard University"

Prayer, as James Washington s moving book chronicles, was the fuel that enabled our black foremothers and forefathers to get over the mountains of slavery and through the valleys of segregation. This testament to the spirit of African Americans. . . Will revive your spirit as it did mine. --Marian Wright Edelman, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Measure of Our Success" and President of the Children's Defense Fund"

These prayers speak not only to African Americans, but to the hearts and souls of people everywhere. . . A powerful testament of faith and hope that will provide a rich, enduring source of inspiration for its fortunate readers. --Coretta Scott King"

It has been years since I have seen a book which will prove such a treasure. . . Here is not a quaint collection of dusty ethnic curiosities, but a living thing with a past and a future. --"Trenton NJ Times""

Washington takes a giant step in helping to preserve the rich tradition of spirituality in African-American culture and by extension all American culture and celebrates the legacy of prayer that has supported and strengthened generations of blacks through good times and bad. --"Carolina Times""

From the Back Cover:

As powerful today as when it was first published, Conversations with God is an intimate spiritual journey and a tribute to the power of faith. Assembled from letters and writings that span more than two hundred years, these prayers form a one-of-a-kind volume that will inspire the spirit and warm the heart.

Prayer brings us closer to God, and these moving writings are a reminder that faith has the power to transform. With words by W. E. B. Du Bois, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Alice Walker, and many others, we come to recognize the significant role prayer has played in our survival. We see a glimpse of each author's dreams and fears, and their clear conviction that God hears, and responds, to our requests. At times a meditation on pain, at others a deep and affecting reflection of hope, these prayers are beacons of strength and inspiring lessons for our everyday lives.

Comforting and passionate, Conversations with God is an enduring collection that is sure to be cherished by families and generations to come.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0060171618
• ISBN 13: 9780060171612
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 347
• Editor: Washington James Melvin