Ireland Religion

This energizing, highly interactive book from Grammy-nominated recording artist and two-time Dove Award–winner Babbie Mason inspires us to share our God story with confidence. Sharing our story of Jesus doesn’t have anything to do with rote lines, preachy words, or guilty feelings. As Babbie shows us, it has everything to do with listening well, practicing compassion, and demonstrating Christ’s joy.

This collection of classic Irish wisdom—in the form of stories, prayers, and proverbs—reveals the creator in the natural world and highlights the importance of the Celtic spiritual heritage.

During the 12th century, the people of Ireland came under the sway of the English, who had extended into their domain. With every subsequent century, English dominion in the land gradually expanded, leading to the exceedingly harsh treatment of native Irish populations at the hands of English settlers. The Tudor period was especially tumultuous, with Elizabeth I waging a notoriously expensive conquest against the Irish in the waning years of her reign.

Ireland is a magical land, famous for its shamrocks and harps, leprechauns, shillelaghs, and green-eyed colleens with skin as white as milk. It is called the Emerald Isle, and the national color is green; Ireland is lush green, almost tropical in certain areas. The national drink is Guinness, although he’s a “damned Protestant”. Ireland is not only a country; it’s a state of mind, a way of life. We think of the Irish people as being quite fanciful, partly because of Barry Fitzgerald, who gave us our unofficial description of what an Irishman should be.

What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Is it really that important to pray as the early Church did? In this installment of The Ancient Practices series, Robert Benson presents a structure for our lives where we can live in continued awareness of God’s presence and reality. A pattern for...